Back home and set for friendly tests

ROB Edwards is hoping his Middlesbrough side can use their upcoming domestic friendlies to build on their early summer progress, as he targets a solid first impression among supporters.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Edwards is currently preparing his new side for the upcoming season after replacing Michael Carrick at the Riverside.

After a little over a week working with his new players on home turf, Edwards was able to spend a week in close quarters with Boro players last week as they enjoyed a warm-weather training camp in Portugal.

Now back on Teesside, Boro are preparing for their domestic friendly schedule, which starts away at Mansfield Town on Saturday before games against Bradford City, Rangers, Hartlepool United and Deportivo La Coruna follow.

The new Boro head coach has already warned there could be teething issues early on as he tries to implement his own ideas on the squad.

Despite that, he is encouraged by the early signs of preseason.

Speaking to the club website after the warm-weather training camp concluded on Saturday, Edwards said: “Portugal was a really good week.

“Preseason is about building fitness, building more organisation and understanding, and also building a spirit and cohesion among the group.