Vice-captain Cole Skuse says the Blues squad are in fantastic shape as they go into their pre-season friendly programme.

The players returned to Playford Road three and a half weeks ago working to the EFL’s Protocol for Return to First Team Training having been away from the club since the 2019/20 season was suspended in March.

After a proposed fixture away against West Ham’s U23s was cancelled on Saturday, a member of the Hammers’ academy staff having tested positive for Covid-19, the Blues play their first fixtures of pre-season behnd closed doors at Colchester on Tuesday when the sides take part in two back-to-back 75-minute games.

"Throughout Covid you can do road running or your own ball work, but you can't quite replicate what you do in a proper training session,” Skuse, 34, told iFollow Ipswich.

"We came back in the small bubbles originally. In terms of building up to the contact, that's been good because the games have been at a really good tempo.

"To go from doing your running and stuff at home, to then doing your bubble work but at a distance - the lads have come back in fantastic shape.

"You need to transfer that into the contact stuff and the certain movements that you have on a football pitch - the lads have been brilliant."

A stream of the two games at Colchester, which can be accessed here, costs £5 with the Blues receiving 50 per cent of the revenue.

Incoming signings Stephen Ward, David Cornell and Oli Hawkins are likely to make their first appearances in Town shirts at the JobServe Community Stadium with their signings expected to be confirmed tomorrow.

The Blues are in action at Tottenham next Saturday, then West Ham are at Portman Road the following Tuesday with another away match pencilled in for the following Saturday. All games are behind clsoed doors.

Photo: ITFC

TractorRoyNo1 added 16:55 - Aug 16 Welcome back, more platitudes, nice chap, but just shouldnt be at Portman Road
4

BlueBadger added 17:06 - Aug 16 '...but the manager is still a clueless fraud'.
1

Linkboy13 added 17:26 - Aug 16 The lads are in fantastic shape. Give them a ball they look clueless.
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bobbyramsey added 17:39 - Aug 16 So no excuses this time around?
1

Cakeman added 17:55 - Aug 16 To be honest I cannot see anything wrong with Skuse' comments. He's not been my favourite player but he is just trying to be positive. Sadly he does get caned by some as soon as he speaks. Same for our Captain as well.
2

Steve_D added 18:05 - Aug 16 Same as last season , the season before and the season before that , means nothing
6

multiplescoregasms added 18:06 - Aug 16 A typical pointless pre season comment from anyone at any club. No one is likely to say that everyone has come back 4 stone overweight and looking like they don't give a toss.
2

ringwoodblue added 18:11 - Aug 16 We will be lucky to beat Colchester but stand no chance against Spurs and the Hammers if they put out a half decent side.
0

Edmundo added 18:24 - Aug 16 They should give a to$$. Promotion is their only route back to decent football wages.
1

therein61 added 18:45 - Aug 16 While his comments are positive(what else should they be) i'm still waiting to see a positive move on the pitch from him.
4

LWNR2013 added 19:30 - Aug 16 Have always rated CK. consummate professional and fantastic distribution. 👍
1

dugoutdave added 20:30 - Aug 16 Honestly gents Im sure if any player said good morning to you on beautiful sunny day, you'd still find something to complain about what they said, how they said it snd what tone it was said in. Give it a rest
4

dugoutdave added 20:31 - Aug 16 Honestly gents Im sure if any player said good morning to you on beautiful sunny day, you'd still find something to complain about what they said, how they said it snd what tone it was said in. Give it a rest
1

runningout added 08:14 - Aug 17 well said albeit twice. Put a quid on Cole Skuse being our next manager/coach in a few years
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