ALEX Neil feels Norwich City's week-long training camp at St George's Park has formed a productive part of his side's early pre-season schedule.

The Canaries have been based at the FA's National Football Centre in Staffordshire since Monday, having spent the previous week in the more familiar surroundings of Colney.

Speaking exclusively to Norwich City TV on Friday evening, the City boss said: "We want to get the players as fit as they can be without breaking anyone down, and the lads have attacked it really well.

"This week has seen long days for the players; they'be been up at quarter to seven and on the altitude bikes. After breakfast they've headed back onto the grass for a football session before having lunch.

"They've then been going back to bed before coming back out at five o'clock for running sessions. It's a considerable amount of work but it's been good and puts miles in the tank for us."

City's stay at St George's is set to conclude with their maiden pre-season friendly on Saturday, when they meet League One side Walsall in a behind-closed-doors clash.

The match will consist of three periods of 30 minutes rather than the traditional 45 minutes each-way, and Neil explained: "It's designed to give the players a bit more of a break during the game.

"We want to control the minutes that the players are putting in. Studies show that the longer they play after a lengthy break increases the risk of injuries, which we want to avoid.

"We'll probably have two XIs for each half of the game. We've given the players a bit of detail on shaping, but that's not as important as getting minutes in their legs at this stage."

CITY AT ST GEORGE'S: ALEX NEIL EXCLUSIVE

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