Following a day of acclimatising to their new training camp, the Watford squad’s first full day in Austria (Wednesday) contained intense training sessions, mini-matches and, for some of the group, a swim in the pool.

Sessions took place in the morning and afternoon, as Rob Edwards and his coaching staff worked on a mixture of strength and conditioning, pressing drills and an 11 v 11 match before lunchtime.

In the gym, midfielder Imrân Louza continued his recovery, whilst defender William Troost-Ekong re-joined the group following an injury suffered on international duty with Nigeria.

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After a break for food, they returned for their second session in cloudy Austrian weather, splitting into three equal teams.

The groups faced off in a trio of challenges: an intense rondo, a passing drill and a small-sided match, with the losers condemned to leaping into the pool next to the pitch.

Team one ran out the victors, with team three finishing last and completing their forfeit.

Once a third of the group had managed to dry off, the Hornets settled down for their evening meal, accompanied by more initiation songs. Up stepped Under-23 midfielder JJ McKiernan, new goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Assistant Head Coach Richie Kyle.

McKiernan was first to stand on his chair, and chose to sing Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl. Okoye opted for Sere by DJ Spinall & Fireboy DML and Kyle closed the night out with an inspiring rendition of Stand By Me by Ben E. King, earning rapturous applause.

All sat together around the table, the group then had a team meeting to outline aims and expectations for the season, led by Edwards and his staff, before it was time to turn in.

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