Early return for squad

May 2 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

Early return for squad

CITY’S players have been told to report for pre-season training next month as boss Simon Davies stamps his authority on the squad.

Full-time pre-season training will begin on July 1, but Davies plans to bring the players in twice a week in the three weeks leading up to that date.

The Chester manager, who signed a two-year contract last week, said: “We’ll be back a bit earlier for pre-season. I’ve told the lads and I don’t know if they’re too pleased with that one, but we’ll be back slightly earlier this time to make sure we’re in good condition for next year.”

In the three-week build-up to July 1, the players will be expected to blow away the cobwebs from their summer break.

Davies added: “You can get pre-seasons when in the first two weeks they’re in, they’re getting rid of the rubbish from the summer.

“Instead of wasting time getting rid of this extra body fat, we’ll be doing that before they come back.

“It’s not a punishment, it’s moving on a little bit.”

The players will have their body fat levels checked today.

“They’ve got to come back within a certain level of that, and if not they’ll be getting a slap on the wrist,” warned Davies.

The Chester boss also revealed yesterday that he is closing in on appointing an assistant manager. He is also keen to see the role of youth team boss – the position he vacated – filled soon.

Davies said: “Assistant manager is a really important position, but for me the youth position is just as important, if not more important. We’ve got some good young players at the club and we’ve just got to make sure they keep on coming on that conveyor belt for us. It’s important for Chester City’s future.”