Squad start in Switzerland

West Ham United kicked-off their pre-season training camp in Switzerland in bright sunshine.

The Hammers arrived at their base near Bern late on Friday evening before eating a welcome meal and heading for bed.

The 26-man squad rose early on Saturday morning for a group session in the swimming pool to loosen up their joints and muscles.

After a healthy breakfast the players and staff, led by manager Sam Allardyce, boarded the team coach for the short journey to the picturesque training complex.

The whole squad, including England trio Robert Green, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole, got themselves up to with an activation session in the gymnasium before heading outside on to the pristine pitches.

There, under a warm sun and blue skies, the players were put through their paces by Allardyce, assistant manager Neil McDonald and members of the medicine and sport science department.

The Hammers will train at least twice a day throughout their stay in Switzerland as the manager gets his players up to speed ahead of the start of the 2011/12 npower Championship campaign on 7 August.

As part of his preparations, Allardyce will send his players into action for the first time at the Uhren Cup pre-season competition.

West Ham will take on Swiss Super League side BSC Young Boys in Grenchen on Monday evening before tackling reigning Swiss champions FC Basel on Wednesday.

*West Ham TV and whufc.com will bring you regular updates and exclusive interviews and images from the club's pre-season training camp, as well as live text updates from their two pre-season Uhren Cup fixtures.

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The players waited patiently to board their flight to Switzerland

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It was late in the evening when the Hammers landed at Bern-Belp Airport

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A double-decker coach was waiting to collect the squad

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The view from the hotel on Saturday morning was truly stunning

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The players arrived in good time for their morning training session

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An activation session preceded the morning training session