NIGEL CLIBBENS says Huddersfield Town’s pre-season training camp in Spain will provide a welcome change of environment – and promised Canalside will be better than ever when Mark Robins and his men return in time for Saturday’s opening friendly at Chesterfield.

The manager and his first-team squad – minus injured defender Anthony Gerrard – jet out today for a four-night stay at a golf and sports complex in Marbella on the Costa del Sol while work continues on Town’s £3.5m training complex off Leeds Road.

“Mark was keen to take the players away and we were happy to support him,” said Clibbens.

“It’s a good exercise in terms of team bonding and also to provide a change of scenery at what is an intense time training-wise. We know what the manager has got planned and it certainly isn’t a holiday.

“There will be double sessions, as there have been here in Huddersfield, and it’s important that the players are able to give their full attention to what is a very important week.”

James Vaughan and fellow new signings Martin Paterson, Jon Stead, Adam Hammill, Daniel Carr and Jake Carroll are all in the 26-player party, as are the likes of Jordan Sinnott, just awarded a new contract to 2015, Matt Crooks, Jimmy Spencer and Liam Ridehalgh.

Centre-back Gerrard is under treatment for a calf injury picked up during training, but Robins hopes he will be back to fitness before the Championship opener at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 3.

Town’s academy and development players are training at Canalside – the Under 18s have their first friendly at Brighouse Town on Friday (7.00) – and Clibbens added: “The complex is coming together very nicely. The 3G pitch is in full use by the academy players.”