Season 2016/17 is edging ever closer and a number of clubs started their pre-season training this week with players reporting back for duty.
With the fixtures being released last week and players now back with their clubs, the countdown to the weekend of 6th August – when the campaign kicks off – is well and truly under way.#FixtureReleaseDay: EFL Season 2016/17 fixtures announced
While some clubs opt to stay in England to put players through their paces, many go abroad, and that's what Sky Bet League One Peterborough United have opted to do, heading to Portugal for a training camp.
One man who made a late dash to the Portugal-bound plane was Brad Inman, who joined Posh on Monday from Crewe Alexandra on a three-year deal.
Elsewhere in Sky Bet League One, MK Dons were back at Stadium MK undergoing muscular and skeletal tests before heading to Woughton on the Green to start their fitness-based football sessions on Tuesday.PHOTO | @brad_inman8 visited the @ABAXStadium this morning before traveling out to Portugal later today #pufcpic.twitter.com/4qBRqWmftT
— Peterborough United (@theposhofficial) June 27, 2016
Read more: MK Dons - Dons back to work!
Bury were another Sky Bet League One club to return to training and it looked like striker Tom Pope enjoyed the first day back...
Millwall will harbour ambitions of another positive campaign after making it to last season's Play-Off Final, where they were beaten by Barnsley.Tough first day Tom??? @tompope11#buryfcpic.twitter.com/hCLX5GnXh1
— Bury Football Club (@buryfcofficial) June 27, 2016
Ben Thompson was one of the Lions' stars during 2015/16, making 36 appearances and winning the Goal of the Season award, but now his focus is fully on what lies ahead, and the Academy graduate is hungry for more this time around. Neil Harris' side start their campaign on 6th August against Oldham Athletic.
"It's been a good break," Thompson told millwallfc.co.uk.
"I played more games than I ever had last year and I was knackered towards the end of the season, but I'm raring to go again now.
"The result at Wembley didn't go our way but we can improve on that and hopefully this coming campaign will be the time for it.
"Last year we had a slow start so this time around we need to continue the momentum we generated with our form in the last few months of the season. We were dominating teams, playing good football, and if we can pick up from that then it could be a successful season.”
There are a number of clubs with new managers in charge, who will be getting the first glimpses of their players this week, and that's the case for Jaap Stam at Reading.
The Royals were at the Dome getting a sweat on and gaffer Stam found time to get the ball out for the cameras!
Garry Monk is another new manager in the division after taking charge of Leeds United. His troops returned to action at Throp Arch and the head coach spoke to Leeds United TV after the session.📸 The gaffer has still got a few tricks up his sleeve! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/jKrA5VrZdh
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) June 27, 2016
Wolves were another team back at it, although they were a man down with Dave Edwards still involved in Euro 2016 with Wales.
He tweeted his support for the team and told Head of Sport Science Tony Daley to 'go easy' on the players, while fellow midfielder Jack Price posted to say he is relishing the next few weeks.
While some clubs have new managers, Sky Bet League Two Luton Town have a new Sport Scientist on the payroll, and he put the players through their paces on Monday for the first time.Great to see most of the lads/staff this morning 😀 looking forward to the next few weeks 🏃🏻💨⚽️ #WolvesAyWe
— Jack Price (@jacko_8) June 27, 2016
Doncaster Rovers suffered relegation last time around and will be aiming to bounce back in Sky Bet League Two.Buzzing to make the move to @LutonTown gonna be a great season with a great bunch of lads and staff... Been a good few days settling in ⚽️👒
— Jared (@JaredRS32) June 27, 2016
Defender Andy Butler stated his ambitions on social media after the first day of training...
Elsewhere, Carlisle United have been busy in the close-season so far with manager Keith Curle bringing in a number of new faces, including midfielder Nicky Adams who won Sky Bet League Two with Northampton Town last term.Day 1 done!!! Every1 came back really fit!! Great start! Let's make it a season to remember! #Drfc#fbtpic.twitter.com/w5DPt8VMo5
— Andy Butler (@butler__andy) June 27, 2016
Adams has been back at it with his new team-mates, one of which is defender Michael Raynes. The centre-half believes he is now accustomed to the rigours of pre-season, and is focused on being ready for the campaign ahead.
He told carlisleunited.co.uk: “I think I’m used to it now so you just run until you can’t run any more. It’s football, it’s the way it is and we all know we’ve just got to get on and do it.
“The important thing is getting your body ready for what is going to be a tough season and that’s why we do the hard work now. You have to show the management team you’re ready and we know it’s going to be competition for places from day one.
“Pre-season is the time when you can start to stake your claim and the games will very quickly come thick and fast. Looking at the squad this year we’re looking a lot fitter and sharper and the times we’re getting for the tests we’ve been doing have been really good.”
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