Burton Albion are into their toughest week of pre-season, according to first-team coach Andy Garner.
The Brewers returned to St George's Park on June 29 to begin the lengthy preparations ahead of the 2017/18 campaign, with the priority being for the squad to build up their fitness levels after six weeks off.
Their first pre-season friendly takes place on Wednesday evening at Kidsgrove Athletic (7.30pm), with a trip to Mickleover Sports following on Friday (7.30pm).
As ever at this early stage of the summer, Nigel Clough will mix-and-match his squads for those two matches, as the players continue to get back up to full speed.
"We've got two games (this) week, that'll be a little bit of both," said Garner.
"It'll be 45 minutes for most people. We are still working very hard this week, so you don't really want to go over the top with too many minutes because Monday to Friday is going to be harder than (last) week.
"Although this has been hard, the next one is the real tough one, because we are really getting to fitness then.
"And then obviously after the weekend, the bigger games are coming.
"We will look to give them at least 45 minutes (in this week's games), and that'll do them."
