SWINDON Town manager David Flitcroft is confident his squad will come back from Portugal a closer-knit outfit.

The side jetted out to the Iberian peninsula this morning, with the promise of three training sessions a day during the five-night trip.

And the Town boss is hoping to get more than just a physical run out from his squad as he looks to create a team spirit ahead of their League Two campaign.

While training at Beversbrook Sports Facility has been intense since their return at the end of June, Flitcroft has said there will be a clear step up in level this week and he will be looking for those players who cope with it as he starts to formulate his plans for a season that is less than three weeks away.

“In terms of the dynamic of the squad, (Portugal is going to be important),” he told the local media.

“We’ve had quite a lot of trialists in, a lot of change to the squad, the changing room looks different every single day and that can be difficult.

“I know over there, because I have done it for 10 years, partnerships will be formed and friendships will be formed and solidified.

“When you are doing the hard work and hard miles on the training ground and outside in the gym, and when that hard work kicks in to big levels, there is a togetherness, it comes out of that.

“It gets born from hard work and it gets born from total commitment.

“We’ve had good commitment but this week, we will be asking for incredible commitment and the tempo goes up again.

“I’m really looking forward to the trip, to see who is going to go all the way and who might not.”

Meanwhile, Flitcroft says he is hopeful of his squad playing a game with an unnamed club, who are also in Portugal, later this week.

However, he admits it will be something that will remain flexible, with the other club yet to confirm whether they can make it part of their plans.

“It’s not confirmed yet,” he added.

“The team that is out there, the manager is making sure their data is right so he doesn’t get injuries, so he is waiting on players.

“We can’t confirm it but it looks good at the minute.

“If he gets injuries out there, we can’t confirm the game until the last minute.”