BRADFORD Park Avenue's new-look squad could have done without last week’s heatwave as they returned to training and endured a boot camp on their first Saturday back.

New boss Martin Drury, assistant Jamie Price and new player-coach Danny Schofield were putting the players through their paces.

They came back in a week last Thursday for a light session before a gruelling day at Rothwell's Iveridge Health Club last Saturday.

Drury and his staff are very keen on fitness and nutrition, and their aim is to have one of the fittest squads in National League North.

The manager feels that is critical as he looks to move the club up from last term’s mid-table finish.

Drury said: “It’s all about having a look in pre-season and getting the preparation right.

“We feel we’ve given the players the best chance of getting off to a good start by getting everything correct.

"From the work-outs and the training sessions to the friendly games, we think the players have an ideal run-up to the season.

“Consistency is key this season, and fitness and sports science are very important if you are going to play to your full potential regularly.

"We were always consistent before we got promoted into this division but in the last couple of seasons we’ve been hit and miss.

“There’s no doubt that injuries have been a big part of our in and out form during that time and it would be nice to steer as clear as we can from those problems. It’s about time we had a bit of luck on the injury front.”

Schofield, a close-season signing from FC Halifax Town, is one of seven new recruits and they have all joined the mainstay of last season’s squad for the opening week of pre-season.

Drury added: “We had a great bunch of lads last season and the spirit in the dressing room pulled us through and got the club out of trouble after Christmas.

“We were desperate to keep that and we have. We’ve just added quality and strengthened the squad.

"If anything last season, we were a bit thin on the ground but we’ve addressed that now.”