The Owls party landed safely in Malta on Saturday afternoon to kick off their pre-season training schedule ahead of the 2009/10 campaign.

With temperatures in the mid-90s, boss Brian Laws and his backroom staff are taking extensive measures to ensure the players are properly prepared on the Mediterranean island.

Laws told www.swfc.co.uk: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the players to gel again and also welcome on board the new lads in the squad. But we must be wary of the conditions and we have drilled home that message time and again."

The manager has meted out early praise to the team looking after the SWFC contingent at their five-star hotel accommodation in Malta.

He added: "I have to say they have been first class in the short time we have been in Malta. We had an initial welcome meeting in late afternoon and everything we asked for was granted. The hotel is wonderful.

"The team over here have bent over backwards to make sure our stay is enjoyable and now we're all looking forward to the week ahead."

The Owls will take part in two triangular tournaments in Malta, playing four 45-minute games collectively on Monday and Thursday. Keep visiting www.swfc.co.uk for the most comprehensive pre-season coverage yet on the official club website.

Furthermore, soon we will be unveiling some exciting changes to one of the most popular football websites in the country. All will shortly be revealed!

Register your support on the England 2018 website to bring the FIFA World Cup to England in 2018 and Back the Bid to see World Cup games hosted in Sheffield.

Back the Bid! Sheffield is gearing up for a share of World Cup glory and is urging the people of Sheffield to register their support for Sheffield to become a host city.

We want to show the world that the people of Sheffield are fanatical about football and passionate about bringing the FIFA World Cup to England in 2018. Every fan in the country has a part to play - add your name to the list of supporters now!