The NEW SAINTS boss Scott Ruscoe says the days of players letting go on their summer break are over as his side already focus on the Champions League in July.

TNS finished their league campaign with a surprise 3-3 draw at home to Cardiff Met at Park Hall on Friday night, with Ryan Brobbel’s late leveller earning Saints a point.

Ruscoe says his players will be in training this week to get their final off-season plans in place, but while he expects them to relax, he wants them in shape come June 4 and the start of 2018/19.

“The players will be training this week – there’s some gym work to be done and then they will be given their programmes to do,” said Ruscoe, who won two trophies in his rookie year as boss.

“Then it’s 10 days of being told to put their feet up and after two weeks, they’ll slowly get back into it with some light jogging and aerobic work to keep them ticking over.

“Each of them will have their individual plan to be ready to come back on that Monday so they’re still good shape.

“Years ago, you’d have to get fit in pre-season but nowadays you have to be fit to start pre-season. You can’t put your feet up for five weeks, eat everything you want and go on the lash; you have to be ready.

“We’ll talk to them about their diet and what’s expected of them to be ready for that first game.

“I’m going to have some time with my brother next week in Abu Dhabi, and then I’ll come back to do my pro-licence stuff.

“Then it’s 12-day holiday with the family before we arrive home and get straight back to it on that Monday for training."

nFor more reaction and a match report on Friday's thrilling draw, see page 71.