It wouldn't be the first day of pre-season if the sun wasn't beating down and Preston North End's pre-season training quietly got underway at Springfields on Tuesday.

Manager Alan Irvine had asked for a low key return to duties for his squad, and the players spent much of the morning indoors getting weight and fitness levels checked before the hard work got underway with some running work. But pre-season training for footballers is a far cry from what it was twenty or thirty years ago and the balls were out in earnest in the afternoon session, much to the delight of the first team squad which included a few new faces, Barry Nicholson, Phil Appiah, Nathan Fairhurst, Dean Stott and Rob Turner. There was also a different look for Chris Sedgwick who sported a new commando-style haircut for the new campaign.

North End will train at Springfields for the first four days of pre-season before jetting off to Southern Austria to take in what is expected to be  a gruelling training camp in Obertraun.

Preston North End would like to make clear that at no point have we denied access to any local media, despite suggestions to the contrary. The local press have been invited to take photos at the first full day of pre-season training this Wednesday.

Pre-season gets into full-swing this Wednesday and all week we will be bringing you exclusive interviews, photos and features with members of the PNE squad. Stay tuned to pne.com and Whites World for more info.

Did you know that season ticket holders can get Whites World for half-price? That's just £19.99 for full match commentaries of every game, exclusive extended highlights and behind the scenes interviews. For more information contact the ticket office with your season ticket details.