David Cuffley The Canaries are hoping to be in pole position for a flying start to the new campaign - with the help of a special training camp at Nigel Mansell's Devon country club.

David Cuffley

The Canaries are hoping to be in pole position for a flying start to the new campaign - with the help of a special training camp at Nigel Mansell's Devon country club.

City's first team squad set off yesterday for Woodbury Park Hotel, owned by the former Formula One world champion.

Said manager Glenn Roeder: “We are going to Nigel Mansell's place down in Exeter for extensive pre-season training. It will be a week of fitness work and strengthening work.”

The complex is a popular destination for sports teams - “Portsmouth will be there the week after us,” said Roeder - and City are looking to make the most of their West Country trip before their first pre-season game at Gorleston on July 16, followed by two matches in Sweden.

“The board have been very supportive in providing us with this opportunity as well as the trip to Sweden, where we will play two games,” said Roeder.

He said it was important to get the players away together to concentrate on preparing for the new campaign with no distractions.

“The players will be away from their families but they have had seven weeks' holiday to do the things they wanted to do and now they are ours,” he said.

City will be fully prepared if they have to make room for new faces at their training camp.

“If we sign anyone else, they will be on their way to join us in a fast car or on a quick train,” said Roeder.