On Wednesday the first team squad re-assembled and were put through their paces at Stirling in preparation for the upcoming campaign.

But forget the image of players running through sand dunes to shed the summer excess.

Those days are long gone according to the Falkirk boss.

''All this coming back half a stone overweight are over," said Hughes. "If any of my players did that they would be disciplined and fined. If they were two or three pounds over we would probably accept that, but I or Falkirk don't accept players who are unfit.

''Pre-season will be enjoyable and be based on a scientific approach, and exercising different muscle groups – which I have been reading up on.

"We will get the balls out and the players will be doing light running and short sprints, but none of the long hiking.''

He added: ''Now I am looking forward to getting back out on the training field and get started."

With the arrivals of Neil McCann, Lee Bullen, Dermot McCafferty and
Jackie McNamara, the squad will have a number of new faces for the forthcoming campaign, but the manager is also looking for the existing personnel to improve the side.

"In his first year Darren Barr was outstanding and then he had a slight dip at the start of the last campaign, before having a brilliant second half of the season," said Hughes.

''Now I am also looking for guys like Graham Barrett, Patrick Cregg and Scott Arfield to kick on this year."

Meanwhile, the Falkirk boss revealed it was one piece of individual play that persuaded him to pursue latest signing Burton O'Brien.

"We have been chasing Burton for a while so I am absolutely delighted to get him," said Hughes.

''I went down to see him quite a few times when Sheffield were struggling and in a relegation fight. In one game I saw Burton control a high ball instantly and then hit a 60-yard cross-field pass and thought he would do for me.

''I think he could be a big player for us and will bring us something different.

"He is left-footed and excellent at set-pieces and I am also hoping will bring us goals from midfield."

Indeed, Hughes rates the player so highly he even feels he can one day
stake an international claim.

''He has played most of his football down south and I thought it was about time for him to come back to Scotland," said Hughes.

''I think if he gets back to his top form then he is good enough for his country.

''We have signed him up for three years so he is at the right good age just now for him to enjoy his peak years here at Falkirk and he will add vital experience to the team."

Hughes added: ''That is the type of players we have been trying to add to the squad. We were looking for guys with that experience and character they can take out on to the pitch and still compete at the highest level.''