The Town players returned to pre-season training today with Blues' boss Roy Keane saying 'business starts now'.

Roy and his coaching staff led the players through a gentle running session with Ben Thatcher and Gareth McAuley, who are both recovering from knee ligament injuries, taking part.

Ball work quickly followed in temperatures into the 90s, with a gazebo in place to protect a 'drinks station' set up for the players.

Before the first of two sessions today, Roy spoke to the media about his pre-season plans and the possibility of new signings at Portman Road, telling the Club website: "There is a buzz about the place when the players and staff return for pre-season.

"The players will have a morning and afternoon session and we will ease them back into it over the next three or four players.

"They will be pleasantly surprised that we will get quickly into the ball work but they will be running as well. We need the players fitter than last season but we also want to avoid any injuries over the next four or five weeks.

"It's a lovely day to get going. It always seems the hottest day of the year when you go back for the first day of pre-season. For the players, business starts now."