A football club teamed up with a university to help players improve their skills prepare for life in the Premier League.

Queens Park Rangers FC has spent the summer training at Middlesex University, in The Burroughs, Hendon, ahead of the start of the football season.

The partnership has seen players including Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips put through their paces by the university’s coaches and fitness experts.

Middlesex University’s lead strength and conditioning coach Anthony Turner said: “It’s been a great opportunity to work with QPR.

“The players are obviously well prepped by their sport science and medicine team as they came back from the break in good shape and gave the fitness assessment their all.

“They have some great athletes and I’m sure that will see them perform well in the Premier League this season.”

QPR’s Head of Fitness Carl Serrant added: “Working with the expert coaches at Middlesex University has been an invaluable experience for us, and one which has been fully embraced by all the players.”