Ian Holloway has said that his Crystal Palace squad is looking "really sharp" during pre-season training.

Last season's Championship playoff winners are returning to London this evening, having spent the last week training in Portugal.

The manager told the club's official website: "It's been very pleasing. Very nice surroundings, the lads have worked really hard and obviously you have them 24 hours a day so you can get some work into them.

"We've hardly had a break, so the lads look really good, really sharp, and we are looking forward to the new season. It's always good to get extra percentages out of them and obviously in the heat, when there's hardly any oxygen in the air, you make them work that little bit harder.

"We've done it professionally and the boys have responded really well and I'm very pleased. I'm looking forward now to getting back home and getting on the grass there."

Palace begin their first season back in the Premier League at home to Tottenham Hotspur on August 18.