Summer trip to Marbella is important for Argyle's preparations

SHUTTLEWORTH HIGHLIGHTS THE POSITIVES IN GOING ABROAD TO GET HARD WORK DONE

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

PLYMOUTH Argyle's pre-season Spanish training camp 'is priceless' for preparing for the 2024/25 Championship campaign, according to assistant head coach Pete Shuttleworth.

Wayne Rooney, his staff and the Pilgrims' players arrived at the Marbella Football Centre on Sunday night and they have already done a lot of work, both physically and tactically. They also have a game against South African side Orlando Pirates coming up tonight.

Shuttleworth, who brought to Argyle by Rooney after his appointment as head coach earlier this was summer, has been impressed with the fitness levels back look among the squad, which has meant strong whic they can focus their attention on the training pitches and implementing the to Pete Sut style of play they want them to deliver in the Championship this coming season.

He told Herald Sport: "The facilities we have got here are really good. The hotel has been fit for purpose and everything.

"It's the first time we (Shuttleworth and Rooney) have been here, I think Argyle have been here before so there is a familiarity with it with some staff, which helps. It has been excellent so far, we have been looked after, and the training pitches are always good to get out on.

"The heat obviously plays a part out here but we also want to get as much work, as much fitness into the lads as we can. I have to say, they have come back in really good shape.

"They have done a programme that Gareth (Law, Argyle's head of performance) set up over the off-season before we were in situ and the lads have all come back looking really good, really strong.

"It has allowed us then to get onto the more intricate parts of what we want to do and add the fitness elements onto it because they have been really professional over the summer.