PORTLAND United manager Simon Browne will be glad to see the back of a “strange” off-season when he takes charge of his first training session with the Blues at Grove Corner tonight.

Browne signed with his new club in mid-May and has been settling into a summer routine that is unlike what he has been accustomed to.

He told Echosport: “It’s been a bit strange. Normally when you go to a club you’re involved straight away.

“This has been a bit different in that I got the job six weeks ago and nothing much has happened since then apart from Reggie (Mark Carter, assistant) remaining.

“In terms of getting stuff done, nothing has really occurred and won’t until tonight – it’s a bit different to what I’m used to.”

Browne is aiming to speak to several members of his squad at tonight’s session as he looks to cement the club’s plans for the coming campaign.

Portland’s coaching staff will be closely watching their players in the initial sessions to assess their fitness levels and plan ahead for pre-season.

“The first couple of sessions are to gauge the fitness of the players when they get back. I assume that most of them will try and keep themselves fit over the summer. There’s one thing you can’t get away with in football and that’s not being fit.

“Their fitness will determine whether we need to do more ball work or fitness work,” Browne said.