Simon Grayson today admitted that he is looking forward to getting back out on the grass on Thursday when the Seasiders report back for pre-season training, "It is a bit glum in my office there isn't even a window to look out on the pitch or anything! Grayson laughed, " I know on this side of the job if you want the players in you have to put the time in on the phone and in the office, but I am sure every manager prefers to be out on the grass and joining in with the players, although I am not sure if I will joining in all the running!"

Asked whether he thought the players were looking forward to returning on Thursday Grayson said, "I am sure they will walk in with big happy smiling faces and they will be looking forward to some hard graft! Seriously though, I am sure they are looking forward to it, they have had a decent amount of time off and hopefully they will be looking forward to another challenge and building on last season.

Asked if the pre-season programme would see the players up and down the sand dunes Grayson said, "I think those days have gone, we will work them hard but there won't be hours and hours of running, there will be a lot of ball work from day one and we will try to make it as varied and as enjoyable as we can."

Asked if he thought one or two might return a bit tubby Grayson laughed, "They all got weighed at the end of last season and they are allowed a few pounds over that weight, I am sure they have all looked after themselves."