ABDOULAYE FAYE believes Stoke City's players are already feeling the benefit of their pre-season preparations . . . despite only returning from their summer break four days ago.

City's captain is one of 22 first team players currently out in Austria building up their fitness ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2010-11 Barclays Premier League opener against Wolves in little under five weeks time.

Tony Pulis has already signalled his intent to ensure the Potters are ready for the curtain-raiser with a series of gruelling training sessions, and while Faye admits it is very hard work, he says he is already feeling the benefits.

"It is unbelievably hard, especially today with the running up the hills. That was challenging for everyone," he exclusively told stokecityfc.com.

"But we know this has to be done. No player enjoys pre-season when it is so difficult and tiring, but we know if we want to be successful on the pitch, as we all do, then we have to take this seriously and push ourselves to the limit."

He added: "It was killing me earlier, but I knew I had to get through it. The other lads were brilliant too because they all help to push each other and that makes sure we come through it as a team."

"The benefit of doing this is already being felt. I certainly feel much better than I did four or five days ago, and I am sure when we go home from here we will all be in a lot better shape than we are now.

"Pre-season is about fitness, nothing else really. Friendly matches don't really count for anything. Obviously, no one likes losing, but the purpose of this period is to get fit and that is what we will do."