Perks of Middlesbrough's Portugal trip explained with dugout insight into fitness and preparations

Matt Prestridge believes the benefits of Middlesbrough's trip to Portugal are clear to see as the players look sharper day by day. The club are approaching the end of their week-long stay in the Algarve where they've been training in intense heat.

In his combined role of coaching and sports science, Prestridge has a heavy influence in making sure that the players are conditioned as best as possible for the start of the new season. Having worked with Wilder since his time at Northampton Town, that's an easier task for Prestridge because of the understanding between the pair of exactly how intense the style of play they look for is.

The trip to Portugal comes after three weeks of training at Rockliffe and two friendlies, with the club spending a week out here. They've so far played a training match with Sheffield Wednesday, while their camp will culminate on Friday with a friendly against Portuguese top-tier side Braga in Lagos.

Middlesbrough tour diary day four as 'down day' still requires running, while Algarve wildfires rage

In an interview with the club website, Prestridge said of the trip: “It’s been brilliant so far and it’s always really good for the players to get away and live in each other’s pockets. The staff can get to know everyone a little bit better as well. We’ve been here a few months now, but it’s nice to have a proper trip with everyone.

"The most important thing is obviously the work though, and we can just do a higher volume of work here, from a tactical point of view, technical and physical. It’s been really good. We got more minutes into the legs of the players on Tuesday - ramped it up a bit more - and we’re really happy and really enjoying being out here."

While out here in Portugal