Roberto Martinez says Austria trip has been 'almost completely' positive.

LATICS IN AUSTRIA - DAY 7

Latics Head of Media ED JONES wraps up proceedings in The Alps by chatting with the gaffer on the last evening of the trip

Roberto Martinez says the only negative aspect of the trip to Austria this week has been the injury to Olivier Kapo - who could miss the start of the season with a serious knee ligament injury.

The Latics players finished off their pre-season week in the Alps with a recovery session in the gym early on Saturday morning, before flying home and a well earned rest day tomorrow, Sunday.

Roberto says he has been 'absolutely delighted' with the effort and professionalism of his players this week.

"We have some absolutely fantastic characters at this club, top, top professionals. I knew that of course, but until you work with them day in day out, you don't realise quite what quality players they are.

"The best thing about being away on a trip like this is that you start to get to know the characters behind the reputations, you learn so much about people when you are with them day in, day out for seven days."

Martinez says what has pleased him most has been the way the squad in general has adapted to the changes he and his staff have begun to impose on the players.

"I can see straight away that the players are buying into the concept of what we are doing, if you like. We're nowhere near the place I want us to be at when we play Aston Villa, but we have made huge steps this week.

"The players understand what we are trying to do and the intensity levels we have reached have been pleasing, along with the fact that, Olivier excepted, we have managed to stay injury free apart from the little niggles that you always get in pre-season."

And now, Roberto wants to see another step up in quality.

"Absolutely. I have asked the players to step up their own standards, and they know we need to take all the work we have done over the past three weeks and move up in intensity.

"We have two new faces to incorporate into the group from Monday, James McCarthy and Jason Scotland, who both missed the trip to Austria, and it's amazing how having new players in the squad gives everyone a lift.

"Austria is finished and it has been a fantastic fitness exercise for us - but the real work starts now.

"The hard work starts again on Monday," says Roberto, "and having said all week that results don't matter, from now on, they do, starting on Tuesday at Preston."