Dons head physio Simon Crampton brings us an update from the Algarve and news on all those reporting to the treatment room . . .

The boys have been working hard out here, completing both intensive football and fitness sessions.

The resort has excellent training facilities and we've made full use of the training pitches, gym, studios, pools and, of course, the dreaded ice baths.

The boys have been completing three sessions a day consisting of an early-morning fitness session, an indoor injury prevention programme in the afternoon and an early-evening football session. Naturally, the injured boys have been undergoing round-the-clock treatment and rehabilitation.

Before I give you an update on those injured lads, I'd like to welcome Mark Evans, a chartered physiotherapist, who joins the Sports Medicine department as an Academy physiotherapist. Mark has both physiotherapy and sports science degrees and I know his expertise and skills will greatly benefit the Academy boys.

Dons players are subjected to the ever-unpopular recovery ice baths.

Drissa Diallo (shoulder)

Drissa has been working really hard out here in Portugal, joining in with all the first team fitness sessions, although he's not yet ready for the contact side of training. After plenty of time in the gym and the pool, Drissa has been making daily improvements on both his mobility and strength.

I've not been in his good books this week as I've been putting him through what he would describe as torture. We're increasing his range of movement and it's not the most comfortable of processes! Matt the masseur has been looking after him in the on-site treatment room to maximise the effect of the work he's doing.

Danny Swailes (Achilles)

Swaz has been working hard on a modified training programme, though still completing three sessions a day with myself and Paul Collins in the gym and pool.

Since the procedure Swaz underwent this summer, his Achilles is improving and over the next couple of weeks we'll start upping the rehab and gradually integrating him into full training.

Kev went in for minor surgery on his toe on Thursday and has been recuperating at home with a gym programme. The procedure was successful and he'll begin his rehabilitation programme on Wednesday once we return from Portugal.

Over the next two weeks we'll gradually increase the amount of weight he can put through the toe and, once he's at the stage where he can run again, he'll start integrating in with the boys.

Paul Mitchell (leg)

I've been really pleased with the progress Mitch has made out here. We'd initially planned a modified training programme for him, but he's been able to join in all the sessions with the boys without any reaction.

So far it's been a good start to the season and I think everyone will hope that continues. It's been good to see him flying into tackles like he always used to, as you can see from the next subject on the list . . .

No pre-season is complete without a bloody face and this year the unfortunate candidate was Navs, whose head was abruptly introduced to Mitch's knee during our first training session out here.

Navs had to have five stitches in a nasty gash to his forehead. Although he was a little dazed and confused at first, he's ok now and is more worried about his good looks being spoiled!