JIM Duffy took charge of his first pre-season session as Morton boss on Monday and says he relished his return to the training field as a full-time manager.

The Ton squad reconvened at the beginning of the week as their preparations for the upcoming League One campaign got underway at Parklea.

Duffy had spent the last four seasons in charge at part-timers Clyde, and although he enjoyed his time with the Bully Wee he admits he is delighted to be back working with a squad on a daily basis.

He told the Tele: “I had a fantastic holiday — I went to see my son — and it gave me a chance to recharge the batteries. I’m raring to go. It was a great to be back on Monday, from my point of view. That’s just what we enjoy doing, getting yourself in amongst the players.

“It was a beautiful day up at Parklea, nice and sunny in Port Glasgow, so it was good to get in and see the boys, and a lot of new faces.” “It was just good to get back on the training pitch. But I don’t know how the players felt! We still do a bit of running in pre-season. Of course you’ve got to do a bit more than you would normally through the season.

“The ball comes out on the first day of training now. It used to be that you didn’t see it for 10 days — but those days are gone.

“It’s no longer like it was when I played, when you basically ran until you dropped.

“They still do a fair bit of work without the ball but now you incorporate the ball straight away.

“The thing is, players are very fit nowadays. They normally come back in very good condition and that was the case on Monday. The players are all slim and their fitness levels are good.

“Basically it’s just a case of getting them up to match speed. But we also have a second objective at Morton of trying to blend a team together in a short period of time.” In that respect, the six remaining players from last season’s squad were joined by a handful of new signings, unattached hopefuls and David Hopkin’s development squad.

Derek Gaston, Nicolas Caraux, Thomas O’Ware, Fouad Bachirou, Joe McKee and Reece Hands linked up with new recruits Michael Miller, Sean Crighton and Lee Kilday.

Stefan Milojevic, Stefan McCluskey, and Conor Pepper were also put through their paces, and the trio sealed their moves to Morton before training.

And Duffy revealed he has also offered use of the training facilities to selected out-of-contract players as he looks to continue his rebuilding job.

He added: “We’ve now officially signed Stefan Milojevic, Stefan McCluskey, who I spoke to before I went on holiday, and Conor Pepper.

“When you’re on holiday, your phone and emails are never too far away from you, so we’re in contact with a few players.

“There were a few boys in on Monday, not too many. I invited two boys in who’re not signed to have a look at them.

“I wouldn’t say they were trialists because I know both of them, but I don’t want to name them at this moment in time.”