Leicester City returns to training ground

Fitness, aided by their cutting edge sports science department, has been a key component of Leicester City’s success since the summer before their dominant promotion campaign under Nigel Pearson.

The upcoming season will be no different. This week many of the squad members are back to work at the training ground. The physio staff will gauge fitness levels, so they can be carefully controlled as the squad builds towards peak condition for the start of the season.

Some players have been back in training since July 1 and on Monday, 12 first teamers were joined by this summer’s first three arrivals Ron-Robert Zieler, Luis Hernandez and Nampalys Mendy. The atmosphere seems positive and by all account the new players are settling in well.

Of course, this is to be expected this time of year, especially after what happened last year and every team in the country is probably putting out similar information. Nonetheless, it’s always nice to hear good news being reported given the importance placed last year on squad unity.

Many of the squad’s key players are still resting after representing their countries in the European Championships or Copa America.

GALLERY: 15 #lcfc stars returned to training today, overseen by manager Claudio Ranieri: https://t.co/cyef5cStW7 pic.twitter.com/V4oxskVJea

— Leicester City (@LCFC) July 4, 2016

Meanwhile, midfielders Andy King and N’Golo Kanté are both being tipped to start for their nations in the Euro Semi-finals later this week. The rest of the Foxes wont just be sitting around waiting for their return, however, and will already be striving to prove that they have something to offer.

We’re waiting for the rest of the team to return, but we’re here now to work, and we’ll enjoy this together as a squad - Leo Ulloa

The main aim of the training at this point appears to be some strenuous strength and fitness examinations. The players were mercifully allowed out onto the training pitch later.

While these early sessions are not usually of high importance, as highlighted by the low attendance numbers, it’s good to see things getting back underway after a harrowing month without Premier League Football.

The team’s success has been built on a bedrock of hard work and team spirit. While nothing done this week will appear on the pitch in the new season, those important building blocks are definitely put in place right away.

This morning we did another SDS run, which had us blowing a little and then this afternoon we got the footballs out and played a bit of football. It’s just good to be back with all the boys to catch up with them - Ben Chilwell

The hardworking, high intensity nature of the side last year owed a great deal to the players’ high fitness levels. This continued throughout the season thanks to a lack of major injuries. For that, we have the sports science team to thank.

Some will tell you lady luck is to blame for our healthy run to the title, but that doesn’t explain why there were no major injuries the previous two seasons either. These guys do a better job than any other conditioning staff in the Premier League. With these early sessions, their work is already well underway.