Hull are placing a strong emphasis on fitness as they begin preparations for their first season of Barclays Premier League football.

The Tigers began pre-season training on Monday, five weeks after the play-off final victory over Bristol City that finally secured the club's place among the elite after 104 years of waiting.

Manager Phil Brown's decision to bring the players back before the end of June means the club are the earliest, along with Liverpool, to begin preparations for the new campaign - three weeks before some of their rivals' players.

The first day was spent on fitness tests and goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is in no doubt of the importance of hard work ahead of what is expected to be a difficult season.

The Wales international told the club's official website: "You need to get your basics right during pre-season. You have to try and start the season well and I think we've got everything we need here to help us do that. We've all put our faith in the manager and I would have thought he'll be bringing some new faces in before the start of the season.

"In terms of pre-season, we've all got to do our best and make sure that the manager puts us in the team for the first Premier League game of the season."