Blues chief executive Simon Clegg says the appointment of new fitness consultant Steve Williams came out of discussions between himself and manager Paul Jewell. The 36-year-old double Olympic rowing Gold medallist joined the club on a part-time basis working with fitness coach Andy Liddell last week.
Clegg said: "We’ve been discussing a whole range of ways in which we might be able to try and squeeze a little bit extra out of the performance.
"Paul was very open. I put up a number of people that he interviewed and it was his decision at the end of the day.
"He was very impressed by Steve. Steve took training [on Monday] afternoon. He told them it was going to be a light session and apparently they were all absolutely knackered by the end!”
He says the squad can learn from Williams, regardless of his lack of footballing credentials: "It’s about performance. He’s come in to support Andy on the physical performance side, it’s nothing to do with footballing skills or anything like that.
"It doesn’t matter how good your footballing skills are, if you haven’t got the fitness to go with it, you’re never going get anywhere.”
Despite his achievements both in and outside a boat — he has also climbed Everest and walked to the North Pole — Clegg says the Leamington Spa-born rower is not one of sport’s louder characters: "He’s an incredibly modest, quiet individual.”
Williams is likely to be amongst those putting the squad through their paces at next week's training camp near Eindhoven.
The squad which travels to Holland on Sunday will almost certainly include only one goalkeeper, Arran Lee-Barrett. We understand there is nothing in overnight reports from Wales claiming Blues interest in ex-Cardiff man Tom Heaton.
If Lee-Barrett picks up a knock during training or Tuesday’s match at Helmond Sport or Thursday’s game at Den Bosch (both 7pm local time) then it’s likely the Blues will borrow a keeper from one of the Dutch clubs. as has happened in similar circumstances on pre-season tours in the past.
Meanwhile, the Blues' pre-season game at Braintree on Tuesday 24th July has switched to a 7.45pm kick-off. It’s likely Town will field a second string side against the Blue Square Bet Premier side.
Elsewhere, former Town left-back Shane O’Connor is on trial with League One new boys Crawley Town. The 22-year-old, who is currently with hometown club Cork City having left the Blues in January, spent time on trial at the Broadfield Stadium last summer before deciding against a six-month loan.
Former Town striker Alan Lee, 33, has signed a new one-year deal with Huddersfield, who were promoted to the Championship via the play-offs in May.
Ex-Blues keeper Márton Fülöp, 29, is reported to have been offered terms by Greek side Asteras Tripolis having been released by West Brom at the end of the season.
Photo: ITFC