Bodymoor Heath on track

"It's going to be fantastic, no doubt about it," Martin O'Neill of the state-of-the-art facilities, which will see the club join Manure and Chelsea as the only sides in the Premiership boasting a Hydroworx hydrotherapy pool. "I'm hoping we - the players - are deserving of it because it's going to be that good. I'd be concerned about the over-cosseting of players but it will be great to train in a decent environment with great facilities."

On a weekend that saw goalkeeper Brad Friedel claim he was glad Blackburn's FA Cup fixture against Arsenal went to a replay because "it means we don't have to train", the importance of decent facilities is apparent. Bodymoor Heath will also boast five pitches, media and catering facilities, with a five-a-side pitch to come.