Glen Schmidt is delighted with the shape in which City's players have returned for pre-season training.

The fitness and conditioning coach is the man tasked with getting the players into shape for the pre-season matches, which start on July 12th against Forest Green Rovers, and beyond that the opening day trip to Blackpool on August 9th.

 TV: Glen Schmidt exclusive interview

And Glen insists there has certainly been no repeat of last year's "fat club".

He told Bristol City World: "We're really happy with the lads and there's no fat club this year. The fat club has been abolished!"

City's players returned to training yesterday, spending the morning on the training ground and the afternoon at David Lloyd Gym undergoing a bleep test.

More double sessions are planned during pre-season to get the lads back on track after their summer break.

But with an extended campaign ending in play-off final defeat in 2007/08, Glen says the players won't be pushed too hard after having less of a close season break.

He added: "We're doing everything right and the boys will tell you they're working hard, but we're making sure we're working them a little easier with last season in mind.

"The fat tests and bleep tests that we've done are very important. We look at how their lifestyles are and make sure they haven't abused their bodies over the summer.

"They're professionals and we expect them to behave professionally. They've all come back really well, which gives us a great base to start from."