Groves: Spanish camp will provide no distractions

AFC Bournemouth manager Paul Groves has confirmed that his Cherries squad will enjoy a Spanish training camp during pre-season.

Groves will take a 22 man squad over to San Roque in southern Spain on Wednesday 18th July and return two days before the Cherries second pre-season friendly against Poole Town.

The squad will spend five days training while in Spain and Groves believes it will give the new members of the squad the ideal opportunity to integrate into the team.

The Cherries pre-season schedule:

Sat 21st July, 3pm - New Milton

Fri 27th July, 7.45pm - Poole Town

Sat 28th July, 3pm - Winchester City

Tue 31st July, 7.45pm - Basingstoke

Wed 1st August, 7.45pm - Havant & Waterlooville

Sat 4th August, 3pm - Reading @ Dean Court

Tue 7th August, 7.45pm - Cardiff City @ Dean Court

Wed 8th August, 7.45pm - Wimborne Town

Sat 11th August, 3pm - Bristol City @ Dean Court

Groves told afcb.co.uk...

'We have the opportunity to have five days away, and it will help integrate the new players and bring the group together, which I think is essential,'

'But most importantly, it gives us the opportunity to do the work that needs to be done without any distractions...'

'...Pre-season is going to be a big period for us. When it comes to the results, they're immaterial. What is important is that the preparations is correct and the players' fitness is built up over a period time and we start the season in a good condition.'

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