James Tomkins and Diafra Sakho work up a sweat as West Ham continue their Europa League preparations with a weight session

  • West Ham are currently being put through their paces in Cork, Ireland
  • The Hammers are on a two day training camp ahead of their return to action
  • Slaven Bilic's side take on FC Lusitans in the Europa League on July 2
  • New boss Bilic arrives in Cork on Friday to meet the squad 
  • James Tomkins and Diafra Sakho were among the players working a sweat 

By Daniel Prescott For Mailonline

Published: 12:13 EST, 24 June 2015 | Updated: 04:54 EST, 25 June 2015

There was no rest for Slaven Bilic's West Ham side on Wednesday as the players continued to step up their efforts on the training ground ahead of the new season.

The Hammers are back working on their fitness as they prepare for their first game of the season against FC Lusitans on July 2 – a whopping 37 days before the Premier League season starts.

Training resumed for a number of the players on Monday as they dusted off their football boots and returned to Chadwell Heath for the first time since the season ended.

West Ham are currently training in Ireland ahead of their return to action on July 2 against FC Lusitans

West Ham are currently training in Ireland ahead of their return to action on July 2 against FC Lusitans

Tomkins (left) looks to get to the ball ahead of his West Ham team-mate Matthew Jarvis under a cloudy sky

Tomkins (left) looks to get to the ball ahead of his West Ham team-mate Matthew Jarvis under a cloudy sky

West Ham youngster Kyle Knoyle (left) does his best to get the ball away from team-mate Diafra Sakho

West Ham youngster Kyle Knoyle (left) does his best to get the ball away from team-mate Diafra Sakho

Sakho (left) leads line as the West Ham players are put through their paces during a two day training camp

Sakho (left) leads line as the West Ham players are put through their paces during a two day training camp

Morgan Amalfitano (left) stretches with team-mate Jarvis as the two work with each other in training

Morgan Amalfitano (left) stretches with team-mate Jarvis as the two work with each other in training

Many have had their holiday plans cut short by West Ham's return to European competition, but they were back on their travels again on Tuesday as they touched down in Cork.

Bilic, however, is yet to meet his squad but will do so for the first time when he arrives in Ireland on Friday. 

Training resumed there that afternoon and continued on Wednesday, with the likes of James Tomkins and Diafra Sakho being put through their paces during the two day camp.

Tomkins was all smiles as he hit the ground running with his team-mates following a spell on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder.

Forward Sakho (left) jumps highest as he leads his fellow squad members during a training drill

Forward Sakho (left) jumps highest as he leads his fellow squad members during a training drill

Summer signing Darren Randolph does his best to stretch to the ball as Raphael Spiegel looks on 

Summer signing Darren Randolph does his best to stretch to the ball as Raphael Spiegel looks on 

Jarvis turns on the speed as he chases down a loose ball ahead of a team-mate during a drill in Cork

Jarvis turns on the speed as he chases down a loose ball ahead of a team-mate during a drill in Cork

Canadian defender Doneil Henry takes a breather after working up a sweat with his West Ham team-mates

Canadian defender Doneil Henry takes a breather after working up a sweat with his West Ham team-mates

Josh Cullen (right) leads the West Ham troops during a training exercise on Wednesday afternoon

Josh Cullen (right) leads the West Ham troops during a training exercise on Wednesday afternoon

Tomkins controls the ball with the side of his foot as Sakho looks on in the distance in Ireland 

Tomkins controls the ball with the side of his foot as Sakho looks on in the distance in Ireland 

Joey O'Brien turns on the pace as he does his best to swerve an obstacle as he is put through his paces

Joey O'Brien turns on the pace as he does his best to swerve an obstacle as he is put through his paces

Tomkins will be hoping to start the first leg against the Andorran minnows early next month and admits he is looking forward to the challenge.

He told the club's official website: 'It is a draw we are going into as favourites but it will be a great experience to play in Europe. It is exciting and all the players are looking forward to it.'

A number of senior West Ham players will miss the first few rounds of qualifying, giving new Croatian manager Bilic the chance to give the youngsters the once over.

Several of them struggled to break through under the tenure of former boss Sam Allardyce and the likes of Elliot Lee, Reece Oxford and Reece Burke will be keen to impress.

As will towering centre half Emmanuel Onariase who signed his first professional deal with the club in April and travelled with the squad to Ireland. 

Following his deal, Academy Manager Terry Westley, said: 'The fact that Manny was previously only on a schoolboy contract, rather than a scholarship, just goes to show how hard he's been working over the course of the season,' 

Amalfitano struts his stuff in front of the mirror as he works on his upper body strength in the gym

Amalfitano struts his stuff in front of the mirror as he works on his upper body strength in the gym

Tomkins reaches highest as he lets his arms take the strain during a weight training session in Cork

Tomkins reaches highest as he lets his arms take the strain during a weight training session in Cork

O'Brien (left) is all smiles as Tomkins works on his balance while holding onto a weight at the gym

O'Brien (left) is all smiles as Tomkins works on his balance while holding onto a weight at the gym

West Ham players share a joke as they cool off in the pool while at their training camp in Cork

West Ham players share a joke as they cool off in the pool while at their training camp in Cork

No pain no gain for striker Sakho who tests his muscles during a weight session on Wednesday

No pain no gain for striker Sakho who tests his muscles during a weight session on Wednesday

Canadian defender Henry takes a breather as he takes a different approach to boxing with his team-mates

Canadian defender Henry takes a breather as he takes a different approach to boxing with his team-mates

Sakho shows off his impressive strength and balance as he remains focused during a gym sesson

Sakho shows off his impressive strength and balance as he remains focused during a gym sesson

Midfielders Diego Poyet and Elliot Lee relax in the bath following a hard day's training on Wednesday

Midfielders Diego Poyet and Elliot Lee relax in the bath following a hard day's training on Wednesday

Henry (left) and Randolph (right) relax in the baths after the intense training session in Cork 

Henry (left) and Randolph (right) relax in the baths after the intense training session in Cork 

Former West Brom midfielder Amalfitano is also put through his paces with the free weights

Former West Brom midfielder Amalfitano is also put through his paces with the free weights

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