STOKE CITY'S first team squad will return to state-of-the-art training facilities when they report back in July . . . with work on the £5m development of a new complex at Clayton Wood due for completion later this summer.

These latest pictures show that much of the external building work has been finished and that the main focus of the development programme now is on fitting out the facility so that it is ready for occupation in the coming weeks.

The players will have the very best facilities within the complex, which is the first phase of what will be a £7m transformation of Clayton Wood overall, giving both the first team squad and the Academy an excellent training ground.

The two-storey, 1,800 sq metre building will house changing rooms, medical facilities, kitchen and refectory area, as well as a hydrotherapy pool, gymnasium, media suite and offices for the management and staff.

Once the new training complex has been completed, the temporary buildings which currently house the changing rooms, gymnasium and dining area will be removed to make way for a new car park to be laid in its place.

Phase two will see the floodlighting of two pitches and the installation of a synthetic pitch, while looking further ahead there are plans to develop an indoor pitch and put in a pitch irrigation system to give the Club facilities on one site that underpins the training requirements of both the first team and the Academy.