Hull are placing a strong emphasis on fitness as they begin preparations for their first season of Barclays Premier League football.

The Tigers began pre-season training on Monday, five weeks after the play-off final victory over Bristol City that finally secured the club's place among the elite after 104 years of waiting.

Manager Phil Brown's decision to bring the players back before the end of June means the club are the earliest, along with Liverpool, to begin preparations for the new campaign - three weeks before some of their rivals' players.

The first day was spent on fitness tests and goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is in no doubt of the importance of hard work ahead of what is expected to be a difficult season.

Wales international Myhill told the club's official website, www.hullcityafc: "We're all looking forward to the new season, but at the end of the day it's still football and you need to get your basics right during pre-season.

"You have to try and start the season well and I think we've got everything we need here to help us do that.

"We've all put our faith in the manager and I would have thought he'll be bringing some new faces in before the start of the season.

"In terms of pre-season, we've all got to do our best and make sure that the manager puts us in the team for the first Premier League game of the season."

The squad travel to Italy later this week for a high-altitude training camp and begin their pre-season friendly programme against local side North Ferriby United on July 14.

Further games follow against, among others, Chesterfield, Crewe, Oldham, Hearts and Osasuna before the season starts with the visit of Fulham on August 16.

Manager Phil Brown admits he would like to have "six or seven" new faces in his squad before the summer transfer window closes.

A deal has already been reached to permanently re-sign Craig Fagan, their former forward who rejoined the club on loan in March, while Manchester United's Fraizer Campbell remains their prime target after his starring on-loan role last term.

Brown said: "We've verbally agreed things with regards (to) Craig Fagan, which came out a couple of weeks ago.

"The two clubs have agreed things and we're waiting for Craig to come back from holiday and sign the papers. That's the first one.

"What Craig will bring to the squad will be power, pace and a bit of Premier League experience. That will bolster the squad. Hopefully there will be six or seven others following Craig into the club."

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