On the day that the club launched its new home kit, the manager threatened to tear a strip off any player who comes back out of condition.

Irvine held a series of one-to-one meeting with the North End professionals at Deepdale before releasing them for an eight-week break.

"I am giving them a written programme and a DVD to follow while they are away," said Irvine.

"It is up to them whether they adhere to it. But I would certainly recommend that they do, because if they don't they will find pre-season extremely uncomfortable."

The players will have two months away from the club and have been told to report back for a 'tough' five-and-a-half week pre-season programme on July 1.

Each one took home a copy of Irvine's fitness DVD today along with a personal exercise programme to follow through the summer break.

When they return they should all be in the perfect condition to launch into the PNE manager's testing build-up to the big kick-off on August 9.

Irvine revealed he had pondered over whether or not to give them the full eight weeks off without checking their fitness levels.

But in the end he decided to put the onus on them as professionals to keep themselves in tip-top shape.

"There are many ways of trying to do this," he said.

"You can bring them in for an extra week now which really is going to serve no purpose whatsoever.

"You can bring them in a couple of weeks early. But psychologically players coming back in June don't think they have had a break.

"Or you can bring them in during the break.

"But when do you do that to fit in with everyone when they have all got their own family holidays organised?

"So for me I think it is best to simply send them away and put the responsibility on their shoulders to look after themselves properly during the summer.

"They need a rest both mentally and physically.

"And if they can have that rest and look after themselves at the same time then perfect."

Irvine has promised the players they will be working extremely hard when they get back.

He aims to put out one of the fittest sides in the Championship next season.

But while the bulk of the squad are away catching some sun, at least two will be in for work as normal throughout the break.

Goalkeeper Wayne Henderson and central defender Liam Chilvers face a long, hard summer at the training ground and in the gym as they battle to overcome long-term injuries.

>> First look at PNE's new home kit