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Darren Fletcher: Austria is mentally tough too

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West Brom's gruelling week-long fitness camp in Austria is as mentally challenging as it is physically demanding, says captain Darren Fletcher.

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The squad flew out to their recluse base in the hills of Irdning yesterday and were woken up this morning at 5.30am for the first of three intense sessions.

Head coach Tony Pulis is determined to get his players back into peak physical condition as soon as possible, but Fletcher says the schedule drains the mind as well as the body.

"We know it's going to be tough," he said. "The ones who were here last year have come prepared for it.

"You have to get yourself mentally right for this week.

"It's always good to know what you are going into.

"If you are going into the unknown then you can scare yourself or even underestimate the workload.

"It's a very difficult week, it's mentally challenging because we are up very early in the morning and we have to keep digging in to get to the top of those hills.

"It's not going to be easier, but it's better to be prepared for it."

The four Albion players who featured in Euro 2016 are yet to meet up with the squad, with James Chester only arriving back in Wales today.

They have all been given tailored return times, but Fletcher is looking forward to the whole squad being back together.

"The manager's ideas are about strengthening your fitness in the early stages of pre-season so all the players have to buy into that and it gives us a good base for when we go into the speed and agility work," added the skipper.

"To have all the lads together will be good and we all be looking to build our core fitness which we hope will guide us through the season."

Meanwhile, centre-back Shaun Donnellan has joined League Two side Stevenage on loan until January.