Hughes and No2 Glyn Hodges are involved in their first full week’s training as Carlisle prepare for another home clash against Gillingham on Saturday.
The head coach wants more players to be able to sustain performances for longer.
And he says some of his initial work on the training ground will be very much with that in mind.
It comes after their first home game ended in a 0-0 tie with Colchester United, following away losses to Grimsby Town and Newport County.
According to Hughes, the group’s health is a “bit of a concern,” especially for players who haven’t played enough in recent years. An internal match at Brunton Park put a few of them through their paces.
“I think, [against Colchester], some of the guys because of their circumstances – sometimes not having a lot of game time, or coming back from injuries – only had a certain amount of energy that they could expend,” said Hughes.
Maybe in the back of their mind they think, ‘Well, if I’m going to last the game I’ve got to conserve that’.
“I think that’s maybe what happened towards the end of the first half, but we can get another week’s work into them, and it’ll be better in that regard at the weekend I’m sure.
As well as working on players’ fitness, Hughes has selection decisions to make as he weighs things up ahead of the Gillingham clash.
Given that Josh Williams is anticipated to miss several weeks due to a hamstring injury, he must specifically make a judgment on the right side of United’s defense.
Depending on Hughes’ formation choice, Jack Ellis, Ben Barclay, Aaron Hayden, and Sean Fusire could be called up in addition to left-sided Cameron Harper, who came off the bench and played effectively against Colchester in Williams’ absence.
