The Town squad began pre-season training at Playford Road this morning and TWTD was there to catch the squad begin their preparations for the 2015/16 campaign.

Manager Mick McCarthy spoke to the press and said he was looking forward to getting back out on the training field: “I feel like I always do when I come back, sort of still slightly in holiday mode, probably thinking that it’s come around too quick.

“I was feeling like that this morning until the lads started coming in, it’s always the same.

“Then once the lads started coming in and the craic starts and the fun starts you realise how much you’ve actually missed it.

“I’m looking forward to it, I’m excited by the new season, as I always am, I'm and am looking forward to getting down to training because I’ve not been doing it for a while.”

Daryl Murphy, Christophe Berra, David McGoldrick and Kevin Bru have been given an additional two weeks off having been on international duty, while Jonny Parr has also been allowed extra time away.

Skipper Luke Chambers missed the photo session as he was talking to manager McCarthy. New signing Brett Pitman was also set to speak to the Blues boss and was due to join in with training, despite having been ill earlier in the week.

Darren Ambrose was also spotted at Playford Road but McCarthy confirmed that none of the other five out-of-contract players told they could be offered terms later in the summer - Stephen and Noel Hunt, Richard Chaplow and Paul Anderson - have been offered the chance to join in with pre-season.

Luke Varney was also at the training ground as he continues his recovery from his ruptured achilles.

The squad will spend this week at Playford Road before continuing their preparations at the Carton House Hotel in Co Kildare next week, prior to the first pre-season friendly against Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Saturday 11th July.

Manager Mick McCarthy speaks to the press

Players emerge

New loan signing Ryan Fraser and Tommy Smith

New addition Josh Yorwerth

Freddie Sears, Cole Skuse, Bartosz Bialkowski and Michael Crowe

Jay Tabb and Fraser

Fitness coach Andy Liddell leads the squad on a run

Under instruction from Liddell

Teddy Bishop, Dylan Connolly and Victor Guldbrandsen

Tabb, Fraser, Luke Hyam and Cameron Stewart

Dean Gerken

Matt Clarke

Alex Henshall

Dylan Connolly

Teddy Bishop

Freddie Sears

Assistant manager Terry Connor arrives to put the squad through their paces for the first time

Photos: Copyright TWTD

Photo: Action Images

Ryorry added 05:20 - Jul 1 Tommy Smith and Fraser - is that a 'Head and Shoulders' advert??!
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yorksblue added 14:50 - Jul 2 Stewart continues where he left off at Barnsley, sat doing nothing.
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