BLACKBURN Rovers' first team squad plan to be fighting fit in time for the big kick-off on August 16.

Skipper Garry Flitcroft and his Rovers team-mates started pre-season training at the club's Brockhall base yesterday.

And one of the first things they did to get back in trim was don some boxing gloves under the expert eye of fitness guru Dave Fevre.

"Pre-season training is always tough and you can always guarantee it is a boiling hot day on the first day back," said Flitcroft.

"The first day is all about getting the legs going again so they tend to ease you back into it.

"But we also did some boxing and a bit of cycling and the coaches will start to step things up in the next few days because we haven't got long before we go to America."

With Rovers boss Graeme Souness currently pre-occupied by his attempts to land Brett Emerton, Tony Parkes and Dean Saunders were in charge of training yesterday.

And virtually the entire first team squad took part in the first two sessions, apart from a few notable absentees.

Damien Duff, Brad Friedel and Tugay have all been given an extra week off as a result of their international commitments over the summer.

And new signing Lorenzo Amoruso is not expected to link up with his new team-mates until the weekend.

However, Flitcroft and Co are eagerly awaiting his arrival and hope several more new faces will follow.

"The gaffer has been busy in the summer and we are all looking forward to seeing the new lads," said the skipper.

"Amoruso has a great pedigree and has been successful in Scotland and from what Lucas has told us Brett Emerton is a good player, too, so I hope the manager can sign him.

"And there's talk that Vratislav Gresko will be coming back as well so it will be good to see him again.

"We had a great season last season and the lads are all determined to try and do even better this time, although we know how tough that is going to be.

"But we are up for the challenge and we all can't wait for the season start.

"We've had a good rest and a chance to relax but this is where the serious stuff starts again."