Here we are again at the start of another busy league campaign. The only difference is we'll be doing our daily work in the Championship.

The boys were obviously looking forward to the challenge all summer because they returned for pre-season in great shape.

I've been working for the club for the last 10 years now and I could guarantee there would be a "fat club'' returning on the first day of pre-season.

This time it was different. All the boys returned in great shape and our body fat tests returned impressive results.

In fact, this is the fittest squad I've worked with at the club - a statement backed up when we spent time at Swansea University testing the players' fitness levels.

I'll talk a bit more about our work with the university in a later programme, so for now I just want to place on record my thanks for their fantastic support.

The fact that the boys returned for pre-season in good shape meant that we could spend more time working on the technical and tactical areas of the game, especially after the physical work we did during our one-week training camp in Sweden.

Our advance fitness levels have enabled us to step up our programme and concentrate a lot more on the recovery process, which is so important in the modern game.

The stats we received from Pro Zone after the Charlton game last week also confirmed that we are at the top of our game fitness wise and it's a level we must maintain and keep improving on.

It's also no coincidence that our improved fitness levels have had a direct bearing on our prevention of injuries.

It means we are looking pretty good on the injury front. Jason Scotland is back playing again following his stomach operation and enjoyed 70 minutes against Brentford in midweek.

Angel Rangel also made his comeback from a groin operation in the same game as a second-half substitute and I'm sure it won't be long before he's back to last season's impressive form.

Striker Gorka Pintado has also trained well this week following his groin injury and he may well be in with a chance of making the squad for today's game.

But such is life; as soon as we get three players back from injury we lose another one after Fede Bessone was stretchered off in the Carling Cup win over Brentford with a broken rib.

Fede thought he had broken it straight after the challenge as he said he heard a crack, but 10 minutes after being stretchered off the pain eased and we thought it was just badly bruised.

But after going to hospital for an x-ray, they confirmed the rib was in fact broken. While it's a blow, there are no complications which means he should be back within four to six weeks. I'm sure everyone wishes him a speedy recovery.

The boys are ready to match the physical demands of the Championship, so please give them your full support.