Derby County First Team Coach Matt Hamshaw says the side's week-long training camp in Spain has been 'really beneficial' for the group.
The Rams' squad concluded their final training session of the camp on Friday morning to round off a productive spell abroad and full focus now turns to the pre-season friendly against Salford City on Saturday at the Pinatar Arena (11am kick-off UK Time) before flying home the following day.
Speaking to RamsTV, in an interview that can be seen in full in the Matchday Live Show ahead of the friendly against Salford from 10:30am on Saturday., Hamshaw gave an overview of what the week has been like for the squad from the coaching staff's perspective.
On the training camp coming to a conclusion in Spain...
It's been really beneficial. You may not see it instantly in the next few weeks but certainly once the season starts, a couple of months in, you'll see a real fruition of the work we have done so far and the fitness levels and energy that we want our sides to play with.
On whether they are starting to see an improvement in fitness already...
Definitely. I think the lads have come back in unbelievably good shape to be fair to them first and foremost. The fitness programmes they have had over the summer were excellent, they all stuck to them and came back in great shape.
We have pushed them to almost breaking point this week but unfortunately there's no tablet we can give to someone and they are instantly fit, this part of the season is crucial.
I'm sure the lads have enjoyed it and it's going to be beneficial for them in the long run.
On how pleased he's been with the teamwork...
A lot of it is about a real team ethic. People know our squads in the past have really fit and athletic but the bits when you are fatigued when you're playing, they are key.
You are never fresh for 90 minutes and when push comes to shove, are you going to go the extra yard for your mate, for the football club and for the fans. We've seen here that this group has got it in abundance and that's going to hold us in good stead throughout the season.
There's going to be times when we need the lads to dig in and that's the thing we probably try and get most throughout the season.