Lee Bell has placed his trust in Crewe Alexandra players to return to full training fighting fit next month.

For many years, professionals and scholars have been required to report to Reaseheath twice a week throughout the summer.

The idea was for them to keep in shape and avoid being off the pace when pre-season training began in earnest.

But the Manager wants his men to have an extended break, in order to feel fully refreshed and recharged ahead of 2023-24.

Bell says times have changed, and modern footballers remain professional and look after themselves properly, even when away from the club.

“I’ve completely changed the off-season,” he said.

“There’s been a tradition here of players coming in a couple of times a week. But I think it’s important that when the players come back into the building, they are refreshed.

“Players look after themselves far better than they used to, so they have all gone away with fitness programmes to follow.

“There will be consequences if anyone comes back overweight, so we are trusting them. I want them to feel the excitement of being around each other again when they come back.”

The players will report back on Monday, June 26, and a schedule of friendlies will begin soon after that date.

Bell added: “Training will be tough. There is a time and a place for running up sand dunes and all that, but really you are guided by sports science.  

“We have a full games programme which will offer us different things.

“I’ll be setting out different targets for each fixture. There will be different strategies and reasons behind each of the games, whether that be tactical, technical or just purely for fitness.”