Players return for pre-season and are put through their paces

Wigan Athletic players were back at the club's training ground this morning to begin pre-season training, and were immediately put through a rigorous work out.

Any players who were involved in international games over the summer - Wilson Palacios, Antonio Valencia, Mario Melchiot, Marlon King and Emmerson Boyce - have all been granted an extra week's rest and will join the rest of the squad in time for their pre-season trip to Austria.

The rest of them were put through their paces with a physical work out, followed by a session in the ice bath.


COOLING DOWN: The Players Dive Into the Ice Baths

Eric Black, Assistant Manager, explained that the players will be monitored day by day and there is a carefully planned fitness programme as they build their stamina back up.

"It's all very scientific these days," he said, "we can keep a check on who needs what and how far to push people.

"The bottom line is we want the players to be at peak performance come August 16^th. It's great when they come back in because it feels like everything's starting to happen again.

"It's going to be a tough few weeks for them, but having said that, when you're in the Premier League, you're dealing with top professionals who keep themselves really fit during the summer months.

"The summer period is more of a mental break these days, physically, we're talking about professional athletes who can't afford to let themselves go."

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