Back to base camp: Ryton return for aces

FRANK Lampard's squad reported back for pre-season training yesterday as preparation begins for the season ahead.

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The Sky Blues, who had an extended 2024/25 campaign due to progressing through to the play-offs, are starting back slightly later than usual, with all players returning to Ryton for their routine fitness testing throughout the day.

Among those at City’s training ground were the club's first summer signing, Spanish left-back Miguel Angel Brau, as well as Kaine Kesler-Hayden, who is joining from Aston Villa.

The players will then likely be out on the grass with footballs today ahead of their annual warm weather training camp, although no details have been given as to where the club are going this year.

It's likely that City will play a behind closed doors match abroad and then the players will build up their match minutes on their return to the UK with a friendly at Bristol Rovers (Wednesday, July 23) and a high profile home game at the CBS Arena against Real Betis (Wednesday, July 30).

Other fixtures are set to be added, including a second high profile fixture at the CBS the Saturday before (August 2) the new season gets underway on August 9 when the Sky Blues host Hull City.