Town get their pre-season friendly programme underway today with a game against Dublin side Shelbourne at Tolka Park (KO 3pm).
As they did last year, the Blues have spent a week training at the Carton House hotel in Co Kildare, where manager Mick McCarthy previously brought his Wolves and Sunderland sides.
"The lads came back in great shape and are all ready to get out there and play now,” McCarthy told the club site. "They’ve trained hard all week and they really have been flying.
"We’ve also had a good week bonding as a group and the new lads - Jonny Parr and Cameron Stewart - have both sung their initiation songs, which is always good fun to watch!
"But all in all, the lads are in great shape and I’m really pleased with them. We’re looking forward to getting out onto the grass and having a run out against Shelbourne now.”
Town also started last year’s pre-season friendly programme with a game at Shelbourne, Daryl Murphy scoring twice in a 2-0 win.
The Blues fielded two different XIs in either half of last year’s match and may well do the same today.
Shelbourne played a youthful team in that game and are likely to do the same having beaten Jack Doherty’s loan club Waterford United 3-1 at home in an Airtricity First Division match last night.
Meanwhile, former Blue Richard Naylor has been made redundant by Leeds United. The 37-year-old was the U18s coach at Elland Road.