Fitness regime is proving tough for James Morrison

Ex-Middlesbrough midfielder Morrison admits he's super fit but still a bit behind the pace following Harris' energy-sapping schedule, as are his fellow Albion colleagues. However the Scotland international is putting his trust in Harris and hopes that the squad will be in tip top condition for the curtain-raiser against Arsenal on August 16.

"I think this is the fittest I've been but I wouldn't say the sharpest because I just feel one pace behind," said Morrison. "But hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll get that sharpness back and take it on to Arsenal.

"I don't know what it's down to but maybe we've been overloaded because we've been working really hard and sometimes you have to have the balance.

"Now we're coming up to the Arsenal game we might ease off and we might feel fresh but I'm sure the fitness coach has come in and done a good job to be fair.

"Sometimes I think that we have been overworked because, like I said, there has to be a balance.

"The fitness coach is the one with the degree and he knows what he's doing so I'm sure he's doing it for the right reasons.

"It's a personal feeling but I'm sure a few other people are feeling it. I tend to keep my weight and don't put any on but I think a lot of the lads feel fit and now we just want to get that sharpness back that we had last year."