GRIMSBY Town's players will be put through double training sessions for up to two weeks as their preparations for the new campaign step up.
Following their return for pre-season on Tuesday, the Mariners have been putting the hard yards in with morning and afternoon sessions at Cheapside.
And boss Paul Hurst is satisfied with his players' efforts as Town gear up for their opening friendly – against Cleethorpes Town on Wednesday.
The manager remarked: "They've returned well, and all came back within their target weight and body fat percentage, so I was pleased with that.
"With the running, we've got no one who is struggling or falling behind. There are no injuries as yet either, which is a positive!
"It's very early days of course, but I'm pleased with their fitness.
"We're working them quite hard – they've done a bit of running and then some ball-work just to get their legs back. Then a bit of passing and some bit more intensive passing as well.
"It will be morning and afternoon sessions for the next couple of weeks, until we get into the games and look for more quality."
While new signings could 'dodge' some of the pre-season graft, Hurst believes the existing squad will have a valuable headstart over those arrivals.
"For me, those lads have got the advantage and are in the driving seat, having started the early days of training.
"It's not a long pre-season and we're quickly into the games, and I used to hate missing any days of pre-season – as hard as some of them were – because you feel like you're always playing catch-up.
"Our players could see it negatively when someone new walks through the door, who has missed a week's training.
"But I would tell them to concentrate on themselves, and that they've given themselves a headstart."
The boss is also pleased with the signings he has made – Scott Brown, Jack Mackreth and Toto Nsiala (pictured) – and their integration into the squad.
He said: "The new lads seem fine – certainly, Jack and Scott look like they're in good shape. Toto is a little bit behind them in terms of the type of running we're doing.
"But I've no qualms with that – everyone has returned in good shape, so it's tough to judge at the moment.
"In terms of the group, I don't think any of them are particularly shy.
"Toto has got a place over here and the other two have somewhere sorted as well, so I don't envisage any issues with that."
