Carlton Cole has been back in training as the squad look to Friday's fixture against Beijing Guoan as the chance to end the Barclays Asia Trophy on a positive note.
The England striker said the team were very disappointed at losing out 1-0 to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in their opening game but that there were positives to be taken. He said the pre-season campaign was about being ready to go once it all gets under way again on Saturday 15 August.
Cole said: "It was difficult out there for both teams in the conditions, it was very humid, the air was really dry," he said. "But I am sure that all of this, playing in these conditions and the work we have been doing both here and in Austria last week will help us for the new season ahead. We will be fitter and better for the experience."
On Thursday morning, Cole was given a lighter session as he warmed down with those that had played a full part in the Spurs fixture, while the rest of the squad had a more intense programme and finished off with a lively match.
Absent from proceedings was Luis Boa Morte, who was back at the team hotel after his knee injury against Tottenham. Cole said he and his team-mates were all concerned over their colleague during the contest but had to quickly adjust their thoughts to the match at hand. Despite that early setback, the team did their best to get back on terms with Tottenham but Cole had to be content with a number of half-chances.
"It was frustrating not have got more of a chance to score, but you have to keep going," Cole added. "As I have said, I and the rest of the team are looking to the new season, knowing that all this hard work we have been doing this pre-season will start to pay off for us if we continue what we have been doing."