BRISTOL City's players have begun the task of trying to impress new manager Steve Coppell.

The first-team squad reported back for pre-season training yesterday. And having watched every one of last season's 46 Championship games on DVD, Coppell will now adopt a hands-on role on the training ground as he assesses the players at his disposal.

He will be looking carefully to see which individuals suit his preferred style of play before taking the squad on a pre-season tour to Sweden on July 11.

He said: "It will be an interesting 10 days for me and a chance for me to get to know everyone again.

"I will look at the chemistry, the dynamics and the interaction of the players. I will be gauging opinions from the first day.

"I will see their mentality with regard to their work and it is up to me to form a picture in my mind's eye."

Coppell will seek to impose different methods and philosophies to those adopted by former boss Gary Johnson and the players will be required to adapt.

He said: "No two managers are the same and I don't know how they will react to the things I do in relation to what went before.

"At Reading I had three pro-licence coaches. I direct the coaching.

"Do I take every decision? No. Do I take a lot? Sometimes no, sometimes yes. It depends what we are doing and where we are.

"Keith Millen (assistant manager) is the common denominator and we won't stray too much.

"It is not rocket science training footballers, but the science is certainly becoming more significant. We will respect the science and work the players hard.

"I play differently to how the previous manager did, so in a short space of time I have to get my ideas over and see how the players respond."

Meanwhile, centre-back Jamie McCombe has signed a three-year deal at League One Huddersfield Town.

The Yorkshireman, who has joined the Terriers for an undisclosed fee, said: "I had a year left on my contract at City and the new manager wanted me to stay.

"But Huddersfield is a club close to my heart and my brother used to play for them."