Derry's Peter Hutton is preparing for the new summer season

Derry City fly off to Lanzarote next week for a pre-season training camp in preparation for the Eircom League's first summer campaign.

The Candystripes are getting ready for the new domestic football season in the Republic of Ireland which now runs from April to November.

As the club qualified for Europe by winning the FAI Carlsberg Cup, they are eligible for grant aid from the Football Association of Ireland.

The financial assistance is designed to give Irish clubs a better chance of progressing in the Uefa competitions.

With Derry's Premier Division season kicking off on 10 April, the players have been warned their trip to the Canary Islands will be no holiday.

Transfer speculation

"In Lanzarote we will be training in the morning and afternoon. It will be intense," said Derry's Peter Hutton.

"You get to work on your patterns of play and the way you are going to approach the new season."

So far, Derry manager Kevin Mahon has not made any additions to his squad for the 2003 campaign.

There has been speculation that Kevin McHugh might join from neighbours Finn Harps.

He is reported to be considering his options which include an offer of full-time football with Walsall.