Bristol City are allowing their players to snooze on the job - but it's all for a worthy cause.
The Robins have installed sleep pods as their training ground as they take a new approach to sports science within football.
The state-of-the-art EnergyPods allow players to take a quick power-nap to boost their mental and physical performance. Players select a nap length and the pods provide relaxing sounds before waking them up with a combination of lights and vibration.
Boss Nigel Pearson will be hoping the scheme will mean his players aren't caught napping when the hustle and bustle of the new Championship season begins in less than a month.
City’s Head of Medical Performance Dave Rennie told City's website : “It’s important that the players have enough rest, especially on days when we have a morning and an afternoon session.
"The pods are a way of helping them physically, but also mentally.
“A 30-minute nap has been proven to have a beneficial effect on cognitive performance and mood state as well as improving performance during short-duration exercise.
“It’s very much up to the players to manage their use of the pods but the option is there and a few of them are using them and feeling the benefits.”
The scheme is another example of thinking outside the box by City.
Only last week they unveiled their new strip for next season by using dogs as models.
Breeds such as labradors, pugs and cocker spaniels helped show off the Robins' new kit - with one pooch even getting onto the stadium roof!
Bristol City begin the new EFL season at home to Blackpool on August 7.
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