Cardiff City's pre-season training kicked on an extra gear earlier this week, as Dave Jones' men began going through their paces in the sweltering Portuguese heat.
This is the third year in a row that the Bluebirds have travelled to Portugal for their pre-season training camp, and the facilities and conditions are exactly as the manager and his coaching staff desired.
Saturday's friendly fixture with top-flight Portuguese side Portimonense SC (17th July, kick-off 7pm) will give Dave the opportunity to further experiment with his 2010/11 Bluebirds squad ahead of their final pre-season friendlies at Notts County (July 24) and at home to Deportivo la Coruna (July 31), back on British soil.
New-boy Danny Drinkwater spoke exclusively to Cardiff City Player from the Algarve on Monday about his season long loan move from Manchester United. To see that interview, plus all the training action from the first two days, go to Cardiff City Player by clicking here.
Below is a photo-diary of the Bluebirds' first two days in the Algarve. For extra content, visit our official Facebook page and check out the additional snaps.
PORTUGAL DAYS 1 & 2 - A PHOTO DIARY*
DAY 1 - ACCLIMATISING
Chris Burke - a self confessed cool weather man - feels the Portuguese heat on day one.
New boy Danny Drinkwater has the right idea, sporting the number 1 all over look!
Did Gabor copy Danny or was it the other way around?
Raring to go: Stephen McPhail heads out for some ball-work with Michael Chopra following.
A brave new world: First year professional Jon Meades trots out with the first-team.
"It's not a holiday lads!" Dave, Terry Burton and Paul Wilkinson keep a watchful eye over things.
DAY 2 - SWEATING IT OUT
Burkey shows off his new cheerleader routine!
Darcy checks there's no ink run from his latest tattoo...
... and looks on in despair at centre-back buddy Gezza's bare arms!
Macca poses for the camera at the end of another hard day's work.
Check back throughout the week for all the news, photos, videos and highlights from Portugal
See many more exclusive photos by joining our official Cardiff City facebook community via the link below:
*With thanks to Wayne Crichton
*With thanks to Wayne Crichton
