Greg Abbott insisted today that the opening game against Brentford remains the focus, despite the extremely busy pre-season schedule.

He said: "Pre-season games are important in terms of getting fitness levels up, but the really important game that lies ahead for us is against Brentford.

"Mind you, it will be good to see players play in different positions over the course of the next month or so, but everything now is geared towards next season. Games against Hull and Middlesbrough, and teams like that, are good for the fans because it gives them a chance to see the team as it starts to pick up towards the new season.

"I can also use those games to try different systems and to see players in different positions, but all that will do is help me to finalise my thoughts ahead of the first week of the season."

"The squad that we have together for the start of the season tends to be the bulk of the squad that takes you through to the end," he said.

"Obviously you can try to add to it during the transfer windows, with loans or permanent signings, as is needed, but the players here in August are the ones that you are looking towards to push the season on.

"We've done our homework on players that we want, so we will try and complete that work over the course of the next two or three weeks."