James Talbot is enjoying the trials and tribulations that have come with Sunderland under-23s' fitness-fuelled Spanish training camp.
The new-look young Black Cats are now in the final leg of their four-day training camp in Marbella where they are being pushed to their limits.
With temperatures rarely falling below 30 degrees, Andy Welsh’s side have worked up a sweat as they’ve continued to raise the intensity in the sweltering heat.
But as trip draws to a close, Talbot has told safc.com it has been a great trip and all the lads have coped well with the harsh conditions.
“It has been good but it has been tough,” he said. “The weather has made it evener harder and it has been tough with all the running.
“Trying to catch your breath is hard because we aren’t used to this kind of weather back in the north east so it has been good.
“It’s all about getting used to it though because when we go back we will do the same sessions and it should be easier with the weather,” he continued.
“It was a much needed trip because we had two games before we came out here and it wasn’t the start we wanted.
“Last season we did really well and I think this trip was needed to gel them in and we have now been with them for five or six days and you can see the lads starting to open up and be more confident.”
