Gus Poyet has warned Albion’s players they face a test of mental strength.

The manager admits he does not have anything too exciting planned for the opening stages of pre-season training next week.

But he will be interested to see how his squad respond to a regime of fitness work.

Poyet said: “They know what to expect. They did pre-season with me last season and this will be pretty much the same.

“It will be quite hard. Mentally, it will be really hard.

“It’s something many players have done in the past but it can seem harder than it is.

“It can cause you problems if you are not mentally strong.

“You get through the pain and the fatigue and the boredom. You know what is coming.

“You are desperate to get through the day but then you know you have another tough day coming.”

Poyet expects his players to be in great shape when they report back on Monday.

He added: “We give them a summer fitness programme. Even if we don’t check on them we advise them to do some running or they will suffer.

“New players come in fitter than anyone because they don’t want to take a risk.

“Older players are more relaxed. But they know what they have got to do.”

Poyet plans to do plenty of training at The Amex once the footballs come out as he helps his squad get used to their new home ground.

The senior players are only due to have one friendly run out, versus Tottenham, at the new stadium ahead of opening day in the Championship.