Six weeks and counting, the long path to the start of the 2016/17 is well and truly under way at Carlisle United.
Their third day of pre-season training unfolded yesterday in front of the watching media, as Keith Curle and his coaches subjected their new-look squad to a gruelling session.
New signings, existing players, youth team hopefuls and one, unnamed trialist were put through a yoyo test - also known as the bleep test - to examine their endurance.
That saw Nicky Adams, Jabo Ibehre, Joe McKee and Luke Joyce last the longest, before burning legs and lungs were later asked to embark on three back-to-back 400m laps.
Under morning sun, followed by heavy afternoon rain, it was a tough welcome back for Ibehre, who had been given extra time off by Curle before he returned to the ranks yesterday.
It also saw summer signing Reggie Lambe's first introduction to the United squad as he joined his fellow new recruits after an extended break due to his international commitments earlier this month.
Tom Miller also trained after he agreed a new deal, while new academy boss Darren Edmondson helped oversee the session.
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