But there was a shock in store as Posh boss Darren Ferguson ignored the traditional sprints, bleep tests and laps round the field in favour of ball work.

Ferguson said: "The days when footballers are run into the ground in pre-season training are in the past. I like to get the balls out straight away."

Posh are spending this week at their Woodlands base before jetting off to Marbella at the weekend for a seven-day training camp in the sun. Posh will play League Two side Rochdale and a local side in a charity tournament while they are there.

Posh revealed their squad numbers for the 2008-09 campaign in League One yesterday. New signing Russell Martin has the number two shirt.

The six transfer-listed players are numbered 29-34, but the number seven shirt worn by Adam Newton last season has yet to be allocated. Newton has left the club to join League Two side Brentford.

Manager Ferguson has no number this season after formally confirming his retirement from playing.

Posh squad numbers

1 Joe Lewis
2 Russell Martin
3 Shane Blackett
4 Craig Morgan
5 Chris Westwood
6 Charlie Lee
8 Micah Hyde
9 Aaron Mclean
10 George Boyd
11 Dean Keates
12 Craig Mackail-Smith
13 James McKeown
14 Liam Hatch
15 Scott Rendell
16 Rene Howe
17 Jamie Day
18 Chris Whelpdale
19 Kieron Charnock
20 Alfie Potter
21 Tommy Williams
29 Adam Smith
30 Shwan Jalal
31 Danny Crow
32 Josh Low
33 Danny Blanchett
34 Mark Tyler