CITY boss Phil Parkinson expects his players to be in tip-top condition as they report back for the start of pre-season training today.

Highly-regarded head of sports performance Nick Allamby has carefully planned out every session in what will be a "low-key" first week back.

Allamby has already assessed the fitness of Parkinson's squad during the past fortnight to ensure they had stayed in shape during the summer.

The results pleased Parkinson, who said: "Pre-season is very important and the lads have had their programmes to follow during the off-season.

"They have all been back in over the past two weeks for a test day to make sure they were at the level where they needed to be.

"The players who couldn't make that particular day, Nick met them separately, so everybody has been monitored over the summer and that's really important.

"They have had a good break, which is crucial in terms of mental freshness going into a new season, but now pre-season is here.

"The first week will be low-key, building them up, and Nick has structured every single session for every single day. The intensity levels required for each day are already planned out.

"While me and Steve (Parkin) are busy trying to sign players, Nick is in charge of the physical preparation of the team. He spends a lot of time getting that right and pre-seasons are always hard.

"But if the lads have done what they should have done in the summer – which we obviously know they have – then it doesn't have to be as gruelling because they're already at a decent level of fitness."

Parkinson was noted for his high-energy displays as a central midfielder during a successful playing career with Reading.

He is a big advocate of sports science and relies on Allamby and physio Matt Barrass to provide the best care possible for his players.

"The game is evolving each year in terms of the sports science and the athleticism required for your team to compete at every level," said the Bantams manager.

"We're trying to make sure that, with the resources we've got, we're doing everything we can to offer our players the best preparation possible.

"We're constantly looking at new ideas to improve because, on the sports science side, you cannot afford to stand still.

"Nick is very good in that respect and is continually on courses along with Matt Barras, our physio, looking to improve our medical department because it's a huge part of the football club.

"As a manager, you want your players to be fit because the fitter they are, the better chance they have of staying injury-free."