EXETER City defender Richard Duffy admits he faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the new season.

The former Portsmouth man picked up a knock to his knee in an innocuous-looking challenge during the pre-season friendly defeat to Crystal Palace in Tiverton last week.

But a week later Duffy says he is still waiting for the injury to fully settle down and can only wait and hope that he is back to full fitness in time for the Grecians' opening npower League One match of the season against Colchester United a week today.

The Welshman said: "I don't know if I will be fit for the start of the season, it depends if it (the injury) settles down.

"I hope it's just an impact injury, that's what we are treating it as.

"Touch wood I will be okay, but it's quite sore still so we will just have to see how it goes."

After starting last season as a full-back, Duffy was soon moved into a central defensive position by manager Paul Tisdale.

The 24-year-old made the role his own with a string of mature performances and continued to hold that place down during this summer's friendlies.

The injury cut Duffy's run in the team short as he missed the game against Bristol City earlier this week and is also due to sit out today's home clash with AFC Wimbledon (3.0).

But the defender insists he has been pleased with how things have shaped up in pre-season and is now looking forward to getting the coming campaign underway.

Duffy said: "I have enjoyed pre-season. We have played against some good opponents and held our own against them. Everyone is looking fit and we are looking forward to the season now.

"As long as we don't pick up any more injuries we will be able to go into the Colchester game with confidence and I think it should be a good game."

One player who has caught the eye in pre-season is new striker Daniel Nardiello.

The former Blackpool man has struck three goals in friendlies this summer and Duffy is looking forward to seeing him in action once he has reached peak fitness.

"Nards has come in and got a couple of goals but hasn't really played the last 20 minutes of games yet," Duffy said.

"He had a bad injury last year so it will take time for him to build his fitness back up, but the more games he gets the better he will be and the better we will get to know him.

"I hope we have got a stronger squad than last year. Time will tell — it's hard to say before a ball has been kicked."