Rouge told readingfc.co.uk: "I think it's important to get the ball rolling again, especially from being on a high from last season. Pre-season is going really well - there's no injuries at the minute and the boys are really working very hard, which is all you can ask from them.
"And a pre-season trip to Germany is going to pay dividends. I think all the boys are up for it and it's a good competition for places and I hope the rest of the team will go out there. It's good for us to go out and play against good opposition in Germany. Its different opposition, high intensity, and the slight rivalry between German and English teams and that in itself is what were looking forward to.
"I think over there, the results are not as important as the performance, the way in which we have structure and the way the manager wants us to play and everybody gelling and understanding what the manager wants so we can play well on the pitch. Basically the Germany trip is what that is all going to be about.
"You've gradually got to pace yourself and get over it. There's not much longer to go now, August 10 is just round the corner."