Staff and 20 players will spend the rest of the week on the Algarve coast instead of Nene Park and their pre-season base at Kimbolton School.

However, boss Garry Hill insists the trip is not simply all about swapping the unpredictable English weather for a sunshine break.

He said: "With two weeks of training and the first friendly gone, we will be pushing on now.

"This isn't going to be some sort of jolly-up for the lads. They are training and working every day."

The break also allows Hill's new-look squad to stay together and build up team spirit with eight summer signings already added for the Blue Square Premier campaign.

Goalkeeper Alan Marriott said: "It will be great to get away – and not just for the weather!

"I only signed last week so I need to meet my new team-mates. People can't escape when we are all over there."

Striker Dean McDonald agreed: "I've heard about a few of the
players. But I don't really know any of them yet.

"Spending the week in Portugal will be good for team bonding and great for all the lads."

Tomorrow night Diamonds will take on local side Portimonense SC – who they also met during last summer's trip – and then Coca-Cola Championship play-off finalists Bristol City provide the opposition on Friday.

The Robins, managed by former Kettering Town boss Gary Johnson, changed their schedule after originally planning to play two Portuguese clubs.

Diamonds return home ahead of the NFA Maunsell Cup final against Peterborough United at Nene Park a week on Saturday.

Hill's side also have home friendlies against Derby County, Arsenal XI and Tottenham Hotspur XI.

The league game with Wrexham has been put back 24 hours to
Sunday, August 17.