Players fitness pleases Harriers boss

Kidderminster Harriers manager Steve Burr has given the thumbs up to his players fitness levels after they completed their first week of pre-season training.

Burr welcomed his new-look squad, containing 10 new signings and 11 contracted players, back to start their preparations for the new campaign on Monday.

There was no escape for those who hadn't kept themselves ticking over during the summer, either, as the players were sent in batches to Hypoxi, a fitness studio in Kidderminster.

Hypoxi measured their weight and body mass, before working out 'body sculpting' plans that the squad will be expected to stick to.

Back at the club's Zortech Avenue training ground, the players hit the training beat with 'bleep tests,' designed to ease them gently back into running in short, sharp bursts.

But there was nothing short about what was in store at Wyre Forest as the squad went on long, uphill runs, stepping up the work as the week wore on.

Finally, the balls were out yesterday ahead of the club's first pre-season friendlies next week at Bishops Cleeve, Stratford and Leamington on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday respectively.

And Burr is confident his players will be ready after assessing their fitness over the course of the week.

He said: "They have come back looking fit and strong. I do think now that you don't lose your fitness levels as much when you have time off.

"When I was playing the season would finish, you would spend a couple of months playing cricket and then get your fitness back in pre-season!

"Nowadays, the lads keep their fitness and they get that sharpness back from playing games.

"I have to say that, overall, they are looking good."