Players to be handed improved facilities

TRAINING ground improvements are being installed by Athletic, meaning an end to players eating off their knees inside the changing rooms at Chapel Road.

Temporary structures are being put up in the car park at the behest of manager David Dunn, whose squad are now mainly based away from SportsDirect.com Park itself during the week.

Catering facilities and a physio room are among the priorities for Dunn, as he seeks to bring in more professional surroundings, with foundations for the new rooms being put in place.

“At the moment, we eat in the changing rooms and have breakfast in the changing rooms, which isn’t ideal,” Dunn said.

“We have lunch in the changing rooms as well, because the facility we were using across the pitches isn’t there.

“You want the players to be as professional as they can be, so we need something.

“We have an analysis room in there and a treatment room — we may as well just live in there. Put a couple of beds in and sleep there!

“So we will get a canteen and physio room in there just so it is better.

“The idea is that it improves us as a club. It may just give us an extra two-per-cent, giving the players a better frame of mind from working in that environment.

“Whether it does or not, I don’t know. But at least you are giving them a chance.”