The boys will be looking to give it one last big effort today before we experience our first international break as a Championship club.

With the entire Championship and Premiership programme cancelled next Saturday, it means we will have a fortnight to recharge our batteries.

That doesn't mean it will be feet up time - far from it. From a training point of view, apart from a little bit more down time, it will be business as usual.

Our training schedule is worked out and analysed over three-month periods, so we will be looking to continue and step up our fitness programme.

I think everyone saw on Tuesday night against Hull how fit the boys are. Apart from a bit of cramp here and there, we finished the game, including extra-time, the stronger side.

The boys will continue to work hard as we want to push on to an even higher level to cope with the demands of the Championship.

We will be giving them a bit of a break though - well 30 minutes to be precise - after our physio Ailsa Jones introduced a new programme into our training schedule. It's called the 'Relaxation Half Hour' - and the boys love it.

It includes some Pilates, which strengthens and mobilises the core muscles, and some 'chill time'.

All the players lie on the floor and listen to soft, calming and tranquil musical, such as classical music.

It helps them reach a state of relaxation which you need sometimes in football's pressurised environment.

I'm sure a few of them have even dropped off to sleep, although I haven't heard any snoring yet, which is a relief considering the size of some of the noses in the squad!

On the injury front, Fede Bessone is recovering well from his broken rib and is halfway through his four-week recovery programme.

We are waiting for a second scan to confirm everything is healing well before we step up his rehabilitation programme next week.

Marcos Painter picked up a slight ankle ligament strain against Hull in midweek, but managed to hobble through the game.

It doesn't look too serious and he should be okay for today's fixture.

Angel Rangel (hernia) and Gorka Pintado (back) are also edging closer to full fitness with every minute they play.

The stats we've received from Pro Zone are very encouraging and both players are ready to push on to the next level.

Finally, I'd like to congratulate Colin Pascoe on his new role as Chief Physio!

Those of you watching the game against Hull saw Pasc run onto the pitch during extra-time to treat Andrea Orlandi for cramp. At the time I was already on the pitch treating Jordi Gomez.

The boys reckon the initials CP on his kit now stand for Chief Physio, although he will have to work on his sprint techniques. Andrea claimed that by the time Pasc reached him, his whole body had seized up!

Richie