The travelling Blades players might have thought they had returned to Malta when they pitched up at the Shirecliffe training ground on Monday morning.

After four days on the Mediterranean Island the last thing they expected to see was one of the training pitches covered in tons of sand.

But the installation of a drainage system will not interfere with the training schedules and will ensure a playable surface when next winter comes around.

"We felt so at home in Malta that we brought the beach back with us," joked Chris Morgan as he prepared for a tougher session than the squad had endured on Monday afternoon:

"Gary Speed took the session and eased us back into it on Monday but no doubt it will be a much tougher session on Tuesday.

"The Gaffer hasn't been at us for a while so he will be giddy and want to get everyone back into it!"