Lewis Walters says he is keen to put his injury-hit season behind him and focus on the future after signing a new one-year deal at Elland Road.

The 20-year-old's 2014/15 campaign was hampered by a knee injury picked up away to Mansfield in pre-season, with the striker not returning to action until February this year with the Under-21s.

Lewis penned his new contract on Thursday afternoon after agreeing fresh terms with the club, and the youngster is now looking to make an impression on the senior squad in pre-season.

"It feels great to sign a new deal because last year wasn't the best year for me," he said. "I feel like this year I can start afresh and kick on and hopefully get into the team."

On picking up the injury at Mansfield, Walters added: "I can't really remember much about the game because I was that distraught after it happened. I just remember going up for the header, coming down and the knee going.

"I didn't really think of it to be too bad at first because I could still sort of walk on it. When I got told what it was, I couldn't believe it.

"But I want to forget about last year and think about the future and hopefully get in the team.

"I feel glad that it's happened now because I didn't used to do much strength work on my legs before it happened. But now, I couldn't go a week without doing leg strengths.

"I feel like it's put my career in a good place because I know my legs are going to be stronger than before.

"It's made me realise that I need to do it to keep fit."

Last summer saw Lewis play a prominent part in United's pre-season schedule prior to his injury, and he knows that this time of the year is crucial for those wanting to force their way into the team.

"The best thing to do is to prepare. If you don't, you'll be struggling when you start," he said.

"I feel like I have to do it because I want to put myself in the best position I can when I come back, especially with the new manager so he can see that I've put some effort in.

"I can't wait to start again, meet all the lads and get all the lads back together, and then start running and playing football. It's been a while since I've properly played.

"I can't wait to go somewhere different and start the pre-season tour with all the lads.

"Italy was really good last year, it was hard, but when we came back I felt really fit. Hopefully I'll feel as good as that after Austria because it put me in good stead for the rest of the pre-season before the injury happened."

And Walters is hoping to catch the eye of new head coach Uwe Rosler during the summer as he sets his ambitions high for the season ahead.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting him so I can try and impress him and try and get in the squad," he said.

"First impressions are everything so if I can do really well in pre-season, I can try and get my place in the team.

"For the start of the season, I want to get in the squad and around the team and hopefully get a couple of appearances.

"Then when I get a bit more confident, I want to start banging in some goals."