RICHIE Wellens has been picking the brains of Pep Guardiola this week after attending a question and answer session with the Manchester City manager on Tuesday.

Swindon Town boss Wellens listened specifically to advice on workload management and how the Spaniard grants his coaches full control of first-team training when he feels a rest is necessary.

Wellens will be blessed with a rare day off on Wednesday when taking in one of the four meetings at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

But even then, he will still have his phone on standby and ear to the ground concerning contact from director of football Paul Jewell and chief scout Ben Chorley.

The 38-year-old’s seven-day-a-week role has at times taken its toll.

But support from assistant boss Noel Hunt and coach Peter Shirtliff has proven to be invaluable for Wellens, who has faith and trust in his two colleagues to deliver training sessions when he’s not 100 per cent sharp.

“If you take training every day, players will sense that at times you’re hitting a lull,” said Wellens.

“I don’t want that. I want to be energetic and for players to prick their ears every time I take training.

“It’s important you have the right staff – for me that’s Noel and Peter – to go and take training.

“Pep was saying that sometimes he is absolutely shattered – and he can’t take training because of it.

“And he is manager of Manchester City – full of world-class players.

“He’s tired and mentally drained. Sometimes I get like that, everyone will get like that.”

Wellens’ side travelled to Penrith on Friday morning for their usual pre-match training session away from their Calne base ahead of today’s League Two match at Carlisle United.

With Carlisle attacker Jamie Devitt’s return from suspension in mind, two plans have been formed for Town’s players to work on.

Wellens anticipates Carlisle to play with two sitting midfielders behind Devitt, who is expected to adopt the number 10 role.

“Carlisle might change their shape because he (Jamie Devitt) likes to play as a 10,” explained Wellens.

“In the last few weeks, Carlisle have gone with one sitter and two midfield players in front. It might change, they might have two sitters and a number 10.

“It doesn’t really matter, though, we’ll work on one thing and work on another scenario for if Devitt does play so we know both scenarios.

“Once we get their team sheet at 1.30pm on Saturday, we’ll provide our players with the information.”