New Blues boss Paul Hurst has confirmed that the squad will spend a week in Spain as part of their pre-season preparations.

Hurst has been discussing taking the squad to a warm weather training camp with owner Marcus Evans despite the Carton House Hotel in Ireland, where former boss Mick McCarthy took the Blues each summer, having already been booked.

As reported a fortnight ago, a trip to Portugal, where Hurst took his Shrewsbury squad last summer, was investigated before being ruled out with Spain looked at as the alternative.

Town have confirmed that there are no plans to play a friendly during the camp, which we understand is in the Alicante area, although there was previously a suggestion that a behind-closed-doors match against another club also training in the area might be possible.

“The lads are in today and tomorrow for some testing and then we start everyone together on Monday,” Hurst told The Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT (from 7mins 28secs) when asked about pre-season.

“We’ve got six days straight, then a day off and then we’re off to Spain for a week where we’ll get some really hard training into their legs.

“Then the games will start after that. We’ve got the MK Dons, Barnet, but the showpiece game is the West Ham game at home prior to the season kicking off.

“Some good games, different levels, but for me it’s clearly about getting to know the players and making them understand what our expectations are and how we want to play.”

A list of the Blues' pre-season matches confirmed so far can be found here.

Photo: TWTD

12th_Man added 11:26 - Jun 21 behind closed doors match, Gutted
-1

Radlett_blue added 11:26 - Jun 21 Good. Sounds like Hurst "won" his first debate with ME.
4

JewellintheTown added 11:38 - Jun 21 If the Carton House Hotel in Ireland booking is non-refundable, Mr Evans, my family and I are available to fill it for you, free of charge. Tough job, I know, but someone has to make the sacrifice.
4

Oldsmoker added 12:20 - Jun 21 Going to Ireland is what we used to do. History repeating itself. Spain is good because it says we're doing things differently now which is what Hurst has to impress upon the squad.
6

tractorboybig added 12:26 - Jun 21 oldsmoker did not the great roy take the lads to spain/////////Hope its not history repeating itself
0

Fixed_It added 12:41 - Jun 21 Roy Keane took the team to Colchester for a boot camp and ruined them.
4

RobTheMonk added 13:12 - Jun 21 Yes to a change. Booo to no friendly as I would of loved to had a trip to Spain haha!
2

Pilgrimblue added 13:26 - Jun 21 Well done Hursty. Good move all round, no more wasted trips to Ireland.
3

Che added 15:50 - Jun 21 Just wants to top his tan up, show those white teeth off.
1

ArnieM added 16:47 - Jun 21 Totally agree with this . PH is his own man and doesn't want any of the old regime to get in the way. New era . New manager. New brand of football. Suspect the players will love it !
2

jas0999 added 17:27 - Jun 21 Good stuff. Made his mark with Evans from the outset. Now let's hope he can convince Evans to spend some money on transfers!
2

Sixto6 added 21:36 - Jun 21 By my pretty bad calculations...... that's the same time I go to Spain ! See you at stansted chaps. Wonder if I can get a game at right back ?
0

Hegansheroes added 10:34 - Jun 22 A good move by Hurst and probably no more expensive than going to Ireland, better weather & a very different way of life. MM took the team to Ireland over & over, they must have been bored to tears as Ireland is hardly a dynamic country. By doing this Hurst is breaking the link of MM I feel and putting his own mark on things. Let's hope this carries on especially on the pitch & no more hoofball which really means Chambers doesn't get a game

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TimmyH added 10:36 - Jun 22 "We're off to Spain for a week" - a bit vague, where about's? - I'm not sure they'll get too much hard training in, it looks like being pretty hot down there in the coming weeks (more than usual).
0

blueblood_soldier added 11:09 - Jun 22 Train hard play easy.... training in Spanish heat will make British summer for first few games more comfortable.. good move PH
0

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