The Blades are back from their summer break and looking to get in shape for the coming Premier League campaign

Preparation for Sheffield United’s Premier League campaign starts today as the players report back for duty at the club’s training base in Shirecliffe. It’s the first day of a phased return that will begin with testing before a full pre-season schedule kicks in.

The plan of action has been put together by head of performance Tom Little following consultation with manager Paul Heckingbottom and is designed to see players reach their best in time for the opening game against Crystal Palace.

It’s a meticulous plan that is built around a ‘progressive’ approach and although it is designed to leave the players feeling ‘tired and sore’, it will not be ‘all guns blazing’ to start with. However, they will need to be aware that as part of testing on day one the players will ‘go to exhaustion’.

Here is what Sheffield United players can expect from today, who will be back and when and what the schedule looks like.

Player roll call

The majority of United’s players will report back today, with the exception of those senior names who have been on international duty. Depending on the level of involvement and how long they have been with their country, some will report back on Wednesday, others next week.

“Those who were away on international duty for around the two-week mark are coming back on Wednesday, so the likes of Anel, Jebbison and Issie [Coulibaly],” Little explained to Yorkshire Live. “Sander, Baldock, Egan, they have all been away for about four weeks so they will return the following Monday.”

Will Osula, although he has been away with Denmark under-21s, is due back today, while young goalkeeper Jordan Amissah is currently away with Ghana under-23s at the AFCON and is expected to be given some time off following their exit from the competition on Friday.

Players due to report today: Davies, Foderingham; Basham, Lowe, Bogle, Norrington-Davies; Fleck, Norwood, Osborn, Arblaster; Ndiaye, Brewster, McBurnie, Osula.

Players expected on Wednesday: Jebbison, Ahmedhodzic, Coulibaly

Players due back on Monday, July 10: Berge, Baldock, Egan