Jonathan Thomas says that Wales have hit “reset” after four days off as they set about trying to make a memorable Rugby World Cup campaign into something unforgettable.

Wales’ World Cup squad returned to the training pitch on Thursday with a public session watched by more than 1,000 people at Stade de Porchefontaine in Versailles.

Players and coaches were given time off to spend with their families after last weekend’s record 40-6 win against Australia that secured quarter-final status for the fourth successive World Cup campaign.

But minds have now switched to next weekend’s final Pool C appointment with Georgia – then a quarter-final against Argentina or Japan.

“Professional sport can be relentless,” Wales assistant coach Thomas said.

“Winning that Australia game was a huge moment for us in terms of qualifying, and having those days off was good to have that feel-good factor heading into time off.

“Professional sport is about being humble and hitting reset. For me, confidence comes from preparation and the work you do in the week.

“You can’t look back and say we are confident because of that victory. Confidence comes from preparation and the hard work.

“We need to hit reset, as the boys have done today. We’ve got a tough game next week, and we will be completely focused on that.

“The amazing thing I’ve seen with this squad is you have that edge in training, but as soon as they walk off the training field, there’s laughing, joking and they are taking the mick out of each other for what has just happened in the session.

“Getting that balance of a competitive edge and having really close relationships off the field is very difficult to strike.

“That is one of the real highlights of this campaign, going back 14 weeks since we came in for mini-camps. That chemistry is really powerful, and the balance between the edge and the family side of things.”

Thomas, meanwhile, has no doubt that an ability to strike the right balance comes from the top with the example set by head coach Warren Gatland.

“I played under Gats, and I take my hat off to him,” he added.

“He is probably one of the best I have come across in terms of being able to drive the players hard. He is very open and honest with them, with a no-nonsense attitude. The expectations are really clear.

“But he has also got this nurturing, kind side to him which is all about family and if players need to go home or need help.

“It’s quite a remarkable thing to have both abilities in your character. It all starts with him, and everything flows downstream.

“It flows through the coaching staff and the players, and eventually you end up with quite a content playing group. One, because they are fit and they’ve worked hard, but they are also happy because their families are happy.”

Local schoolchildren turned out in their hundreds to watch the Wales squad put through their paces, with players signing autographs and posing for pictures afterwards.

“Our whole experience in Versailles has been awesome,” Thomas said.

“Obviously, it’s a beautiful place, first and foremost, but we are here to train and train hard. The facilities have been great.

“The people have been incredible, really, and none more so than today. We really appreciate it. It has made a massive difference to us, how welcome we’ve been made to feel since being here.”

Lecce manager Roberto D’Aversa will prepare his squad to face the “complete team” when Napoli come to the Stadio Via del Mare.

Napoli eased the pressure on under-fire boss Rudi Garcia with a 4-1 win over Udinese on Wednesday night, which puts the Serie A champions fifth in the table heading into the next round of fixtures.

Speculation over Garcia’s future, though, continues, with the French coach having ducked recent media duties amid reports of unrest within the camp and a bizarre video on TikTok which seemingly mocked striker Victor Osimhen following his penalty miss against Bologna.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SSC Napoli (@officialsscnapoli)

D’Aversa, though, is expecting nothing less than the sternest of tests from the Partenopei in Saturday’s afternoon kick-off.

“If I have to list them all (Napoli’s strengths), we would never end,” the Lecce boss told a press conference.

“They are Italian champions, they have a complete team with capable and quality players – Osimhen attacks from deep and is one of the best in Europe.

“On our part, there must be the will to put in a great performance.”

Lecce sit just a place behind Napoli, level on points, after losing their first Serie A game this season 1-0 at Juventus on Tuesday night.

D’Aversa will be without midfielder Mohamed Kaba through suspension after his late sending off and is set to rotate the squad.

“When there are three games a week you have to look for the player’s performance,” he said.

“In Turin, we didn’t have any turnover. We need to pay more attention to certain situations.

“(Lorenzo) Venuti and (Remi) Oudin are starters for me. It is clear that, where possible, there will be some changes tomorrow.”

Reports in Italy suggest Osimhen will not not pursue legal action against Napoli following the TikTok video.

After they face Lecce, Napoli host Real Madrid in the Champions League next week.

Forward Giovanni Simeone was on the scoresheet against Udinese and feels the squad can reset and push on into the season.

“Let’s start again from this victory,” the Argentinian said, quoted on the club’s official website. “We have worked a lot and collected little so far, but we know our value.

“We are a strong and united group. We are aware that two seasons cannot be repeated the same, but we are also sure that we have the spirit, mentality and quality to continue to be protagonists.”

Mutasaabeq continued his love affair with Newmarket and provided trainer Charlie Hills with a nice birthday present by winning the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes for the second straight season.

He put in a brave front-running performance to land the Group Two contest over a mile, which made it five wins from six outings at this course.

Jim Crowley made all on the son of Invincible Spirit to prevail by three-quarters of a length last year, but connections had to endure a tighter finish this term.

Regal Reality threw down a fierce challenge throughout the final furlong but 11-4 favourite Mutasaabeq kept on well enough to oblige by a head, with Chindit half a length further back in third.

“He seems to love it here. It is horses for courses, and he has got a tremendous record at the Rowley Mile and Jim has given him a good ride there,” said Hills.

“I thought he toughed it out well in the end. He has been a good horse over the years, and he has won three Group Twos now. Birthday winners are good, but I’ve not really had many.

“He is not frustrating, but I think when he wins he puts a lot into it and he can’t put too many races together, although he is a little bit older now, and a bit stronger.

“When he won here as a three-year-old he looked unbeatable and he went off not far off favourite for the 2000 Guineas just off winning a conditions race.

“He has been pretty sound through his career, but he has not had too many chances at Group One level. However, I’ve always felt he is up to it.”

A trip to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup could be on the agenda.

Hills added: “He has been a pleasure to train and we will see where we go next. I will speak to Angus (Gold, racing manager) and Sheikha Hissa.

“Whether we have a look at America for the mile there that could be an option. We will certainly think about it. What do you do with a horse that has won three Group Twos. He is a good miler, and he likes fast ground. I’m sure he will handle the trip.

“He only needs to improve a couple of lengths with the travel and the conditions and you never quite know. A track like this the mile tests his stamina, but a two-turn mile (like the one at Santa Anita) will suit him ideally.”

Bay Bridge has connections dreaming of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory as he heads to ParisLongchamp for a blockbuster renewal of the European middle-distance championship.

Bay Bridge lowered the colours of the all-conquering Baaeed when scooping Champion Stakes gold at Ascot last year, but the proven Group One performer will be making just his second start over a mile and a half in the French capital on Sunday.

Course experience was banked when third in the Prix Ganay earlier in the season and the final piece of the Bay Bridge jigsaw was completed when proving his suitability over the 12-furlong trip with an emphatic success in the September Stakes earlier this month.

That Kempton event has been used as a timely stepping stone to Paris in the past and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old fared best of the British challengers during Thursday’s draw in stall six – the spot that has provided the most Arc success this century.

“We’re heading there and hoping for a good result,” said John O’Connor of Ballylinch Stud, who own the horse in conjunction with breeder James Wigan.

“We think based on his last run that he gets a mile and a half. He’s well proven over a mile and a quarter, but he appears to get a mile and a half well enough judged on the September Stakes, which has been used as a Prix de l’Arc prep previously by Enable. So it’s a proven path if you like.”

Remarkably Stoute has just one Arc victory on his illustrious CV, but few in the training ranks possess a wealth of experience as great as the master of Freemason Lodge.

And it is the 77-year-old’s desire to run in the race which has given his owners the belief their charge could make his mark in one of the year’s most fiercely competitive contests.

“He’s a very good horse, but obviously the Arc is a very difficult race to win,” added O’Connor.

“It’s regularly the highest-rated race in the world and we’re under no illusions that it is a competitive race and hard to win.

“But we think he is in there with a good chance and he’s trained by a maestro who has already won the race, so he knows what it takes to win it. He’s keen to run him and we’re happy to go along with that.

“Everyone knows how hard it is to win the race, but we’re going to give it a shot.”

Stoute’s sole Arc victory came curtesy of Workforce who carried the famous Juddmonte silks to victory in 2010 and the Abdullah family’s racing operation – who have enjoyed Arc glory with Enable in the last 10 years – will be optimistic of celebrating another triumph with the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover.

“We’re looking forward to it and he’s in good form at home,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for the owners.

“His preparations have gone really well, both Ralph and Rob (Hornby, jockey) are really happy with him and as I say, he’s had a smooth run into it.”

A winner of the Irish Derby at three, he has taken his form skywards this term, finishing no worse than second in four starts, all at Group One level.

The son of Frankel has already tasted success in France at Saint-Cloud earlier in the season and having got bogged down in deep ground when sixth in this race last season, conditions should suit this time ahead of his second bite of the Arc cherry.

“He’s a better horse now at four, both physically and mentally, and is in a good place,” continued Mahon.

“He’s been to France and Dubai this year and travelling doesn’t seem to bother him and hopefully that is a plus.

“He’s obviously had two hard runs his last two races and we probably won’t see the full effect of them, if there is any, until he runs on Sunday.

“But the ground looks like it will be better than last year which will suit and he has had his few days away (racecourse gallops) and a break since the King George. There have been no blips along the way and hopefully that will equate to a good run on Sunday.”

Westover was last seen going down valiantly in defeat as Owen Burrows’ Hukum prevailed in a thrilling finish to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Both horses have not been seen since as their respective trainers elected to send their candidates across the Channel with a full petrol tank and despite a tough draw in stall 14 to overcome, connections of Hukum are keen to see how the thriving five-year-old fares against a talented cast of rivals.

“It’s very exciting, Owen decided to keep him fresh (after Ascot) hoping to get him there in good shape,” explained Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.

“There’s a reason it is one of the best races in the world, it is very hard to win.

“It will be fascinating this year to see if the two really good French three-year-olds and the likes of Continuous and Fantastic Moon are good enough to take on the older horses. That is the interesting puzzle this year and obviously we won’t know until Sunday.

“It’s very exciting to go out there with a chance, it’s a shame about the draw but there is nothing we can do about that so we are just going to have to work our way around it, hope for a little bit of luck, and see how we get on.”

Aidan O’Brien has won Europe’s richest middle-distance contest twice in the past and his St Leger hero Continuous is the sole Ballydoyle contender this time around, dropping back in trip following his Doncaster Classic triumph.

Only two weeks have passed since his victory on Town Moor, but O’Brien is confident the son of Heart’s Cry will justify connections decision to supplement the colt into the contest at a cost of £120,000.

O’Brien said: “Every horse is different and every year is different, but it is two weeks and it is quick enough for going back. You’d prefer three or four weeks really, but I suppose he has been busy and he’s a hardy type of horse now. Obviously we’re hoping, he seems to be in good form.

“You’re obviously never sure when you turn around that quick and he is only a three-year-old, but he’s a hardy, mature horse. He’s done plenty of racing and he has had breaks in between his runs.

“We’re very hopeful, he’s a good, strong traveller, he’s relaxed and he’s got form in all types of ground and he is tactically quick enough, but you never know until you do it, really.

“He’s not dislike (2016 winner) Found, he’s a good, strong traveller. He handles fast ground and he does quicken and gets the trip very well. He probably gets the trip better, Found just got a mile and a half but this horse won a Leger so obviously gets further. But class might have helped him do that and not stamina.”

Bay Bridge has connections dreaming of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory as he heads to ParisLongchamp for a blockbuster renewal of the European middle-distance championship.

Bay Bridge lowered the colours of the all-conquering Baaeed when scooping Champion Stakes gold at Ascot last year, but the proven Group One performer will be making just his second start over a mile and a half in the French capital on Sunday.

Course experience was banked when third in the Prix Ganay earlier in the season and the final piece of the Bay Bridge jigsaw was completed when proving his suitability over the 12-furlong trip with an emphatic success in the September Stakes earlier this month.

That Kempton event has been used as a timely stepping stone to Paris in the past and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old fared best of the British challengers during Thursday’s draw in stall six – the spot that has provided the most Arc success this century.

“We’re heading there and hoping for a good result,” said John O’Connor of Ballylinch Stud, who own the horse in conjunction with breeder James Wigan.

“We think based on his last run that he gets a mile and a half. He’s well proven over a mile and a quarter, but he appears to get a mile and a half well enough judged on the September Stakes, which has been used as a Prix de l’Arc prep previously by Enable. So it’s a proven path if you like.”

Remarkably Stoute has just one Arc victory on his illustrious CV, but few in the training ranks possess a wealth of experience as great as the master of Freemason Lodge.

And it is the 77-year-old’s desire to run in the race which has given his owners the belief their charge could make his mark in one of the year’s most fiercely competitive contests.

“He’s a very good horse, but obviously the Arc is a very difficult race to win,” added O’Connor.

“It’s regularly the highest-rated race in the world and we’re under no illusions that it is a competitive race and hard to win.

“But we think he is in there with a good chance and he’s trained by a maestro who has already won the race, so he knows what it takes to win it. He’s keen to run him and we’re happy to go along with that.

“Everyone knows how hard it is to win the race, but we’re going to give it a shot.”

Stoute’s sole Arc victory came curtesy of Workforce who carried the famous Juddmonte silks to victory in 2010 and the Abdullah family’s racing operation – who have enjoyed Arc glory with Enable in the last 10 years – will be optimistic of celebrating another triumph with the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover.

“We’re looking forward to it and he’s in good form at home,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for the owners.

“His preparations have gone really well, both Ralph and Rob (Hornby, jockey) are really happy with him and as I say, he’s had a smooth run into it.”

A winner of the Irish Derby at three, he has taken his form skywards this term, finishing no worse than second in four starts, all at Group One level.

The son of Frankel has already tasted success in France at Saint-Cloud earlier in the season and having got bogged down in deep ground when sixth in this race last season, conditions should suit this time ahead of his second bite of the Arc cherry.

“He’s a better horse now at four, both physically and mentally, and is in a good place,” continued Mahon.

“He’s been to France and Dubai this year and travelling doesn’t seem to bother him and hopefully that is a plus.

“He’s obviously had two hard runs his last two races and we probably won’t see the full effect of them, if there is any, until he runs on Sunday.

“But the ground looks like it will be better than last year which will suit and he has had his few days away (racecourse gallops) and a break since the King George. There have been no blips along the way and hopefully that will equate to a good run on Sunday.”

Westover was last seen going down valiantly in defeat as Owen Burrows’ Hukum prevailed in a thrilling finish to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Both horses have not been seen since as their respective trainers elected to send their candidates across the Channel with a full petrol tank and despite a tough draw in stall 14 to overcome, connections of Hukum are keen to see how the thriving five-year-old fares against a talented cast of rivals.

“It’s very exciting, Owen decided to keep him fresh (after Ascot) hoping to get him there in good shape,” explained Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.

“There’s a reason it is one of the best races in the world, it is very hard to win.

“It will be fascinating this year to see if the two really good French three-year-olds and the likes of Continuous and Fantastic Moon are good enough to take on the older horses. That is the interesting puzzle this year and obviously we won’t know until Sunday.

“It’s very exciting to go out there with a chance, it’s a shame about the draw but there is nothing we can do about that so we are just going to have to work our way around it, hope for a little bit of luck, and see how we get on.”

Aidan O’Brien has won Europe’s richest middle-distance contest twice in the past and his St Leger hero Continuous is the sole Ballydoyle contender this time around, dropping back in trip following his Doncaster Classic triumph.

Only two weeks have passed since his victory on Town Moor, but O’Brien is confident the son of Heart’s Cry will justify connections decision to supplement the colt into the contest at a cost of £120,000.

O’Brien said: “Every horse is different and every year is different, but it is two weeks and it is quick enough for going back. You’d prefer three or four weeks really, but I suppose he has been busy and he’s a hardy type of horse now. Obviously we’re hoping, he seems to be in good form.

“You’re obviously never sure when you turn around that quick and he is only a three-year-old, but he’s a hardy, mature horse. He’s done plenty of racing and he has had breaks in between his runs.

“We’re very hopeful, he’s a good, strong traveller, he’s relaxed and he’s got form in all types of ground and he is tactically quick enough, but you never know until you do it, really.

“He’s not dislike (2016 winner) Found, he’s a good, strong traveller. He handles fast ground and he does quicken and gets the trip very well. He probably gets the trip better, Found just got a mile and a half but this horse won a Leger so obviously gets further. But class might have helped him do that and not stamina.”

Mauricio Pochettino said it would impossible for the club to replace injured pair Reece James and Ben Chilwell in the transfer market as they are “the best full-backs in the world”.

Chilwell underwent a scan on Thursday on the hamstring problem that forced him off in the closing stages of the EFL Cup win over Brighton, with the manager confirming it “looks a bad injury” though he was unable to put a timescale to it.

New club captain James has not played since the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, and will not be fit to return before the next international break.

Both players missed significant portions of last season through injury, Chilwell playing 23 times in the league and James only 16, a contributing factor to Chelsea’s worst finish in 30 years.

Malo Gusto has deputised for James but will miss Monday’s game at Fulham after being red-carded against Aston Villa.

Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill and Axel Disasi are all able to play at full-back but the manager said no deputy can be expected to bring what James and Chilwell do to the side.

“At all clubs, important players are missed when they don’t play,” he said. “If the question is ‘do we miss them?’ Of course. Reece is a top player and (Chilwell) also. When they’re at their best, they are the best full-backs in the world.

“But all teams when they miss important players are affected (in their) performance. Why did we not sign another Ben Chilwell and another Reece James? Because there’s only one Reece James and one Ben Chilwell.

“If you have in the squad one top player in one position, it’s difficult to bring in another one in the same position to sit on the bench. It’s about balance.”

Pochettino could be without as many as 11 players for the trip to Craven Cottage, with a lengthy injury list exacerbated by suspensions for Gusto and striker Nicolas Jackson.

Jackson is unavailable after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season against Villa, though there could be returns for Carney Chukwuemeka, who has not played since undergoing knee surgery in August, and Noni Madueke.

The manager was asked what he thought about Burnley boss Vincent Kompany’s proposal that players should be limited in the number of games they can play in a season in order to guard against injury.

“Maybe there are players that cannot cope with 70 games during the season, but another player can cope with that,” said Pochettino. “Another player only can cope with a limited percentage, because the risk is massive to get injured again.

“It’s difficult to generalise. We cannot put some limit on the players. The players want to play every single game. When it’s a top player who wants to play, how do you say no?”

Pochettino added that he may opt to play without a striker in the absence of Jackson, with Armando Broja not yet ready to start and Christopher Nkunku not available until December.

“The most important (thing) is to adapt to the players that are available, to try to find a way to perform,” he said. “Maybe different characteristics we can use, like we can play with one striker or without a striker.

“I need to asses all the squad and take that decision.”

Time Lock continued on an upward curve when claiming an emphatic victory in the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes at Newmarket.

Ryan Moore gave Roger and Harry Charlton’s Frankel filly a patient ride before asking her to quicken up two furlongs from home and the response was immediate and impressive.

The well-backed four-year-old soon put daylight between her and the rest of the field and kept on strongly all the way to the line to win by four and a quarter lengths over the mile and a half.

Having failed to fulfil her potential over much of the summer, Time Lock has now won her last two races following an earlier Listed-class triumph at Craon in France and is now a Group Three winner.

Barry Mahon, racing manager to owners Juddmonte, said: She bolted up that day (in France) and I’d say it gave her a bit of confidence and she looks to have improved for it.

“They went quick, and they went a proper mile-and-a-half pace for a Group Three. She did it well and she stays well. She is genuine and tries hard.

“She has always looked a good filly. To be fair, Ryan hit the nail on the head as we set her back when we ran her at Haydock early on in the year and the ground was very quick and she resented it and it probably set her back a bit.

“It has taken us a couple of runs to get her confidence back and it looks like she is doing it now.”

The 9-2 winner was cut from 33-1 to 14-1 for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes by Betfair, but the weather will need to stay in her favour if she is to go to Ascot.

Mahon added: “If the ground was good, we could definitely think about giving it a go, but it would need to be good or good to soft ground. If it was heavy, it wouldn’t be her cup of tea.

“There is a Group One race in Germany as well for her so we will speak to the owners and see what they would like to do.”

Juddmonte were also on target when Coppice (11-2) got her act together in time to prevail in a blanket finish to the Listed-class Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai British EBF Rosemary Stakes over a mile.

Frankie Dettori conjured up a late surge from John and Thady Gosden’s daughter of Kingman to secure his 499th success at the track.

There were five horses in a line for much of the final furlong, but Coppice responded well to pressure before Dettori was able to just ride her out with hands and heels for a cosy half-length success.

The Italian said: “As we ran downhill, she lost her way a little bit and her legs went everywhere. I was lucky I didn’t lose too much ground there and I knew I would come to my own when I hit the rising ground and that’s what happened.

“Once she got organised, she really stuck her neck out.”

John Gosden added of the summer Sandringham Stakes scorer: “She has picked up in the last part, as a mile, or a mile-one (furlong) would be her trip. She has won at Royal Ascot and she is back to her best here and she has now got the black type.

“I think she won very well at Ascot. I know it was a handicap, but she was carrying plenty of weight. It is nice that she has won at Royal Ascot and now a Listed race at the end of the year.

“She was out early in the year, and she got stuck in the mud if you remember, so plans for the Guineas went by the board, but she has held her form well through the year. I couldn’t be happier with her.

“There is a very strong possibility she will go to America now. We have discussed it before as she is a filly that will fit the racing well there. She will win Group races there on fast ground around a turning track.”

Just half a length separated Potapova, Tarawa, Queen For You and Ameynah from second to fifth.

Manchester City will again be without John Stones and Bernardo Silva for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Wolves, although Pep Guardiola has said the former is “much better”.

England defender Stones has not played since City’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal on August 6 due to a thigh issue.

The treble winners also have Silva sidelined after he came off against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League last week having sustained what Guardiola described as a “little injury”, while Kevin De Bruyne is recovering from hamstring surgery.

Boss Guardiola told a press conference on Friday: “We have training this afternoon.

“I think John is still not ready. Kevin is still not ready. Bernardo Silva also is not OK. I think the rest are fine.

“He (Stones) is better, much better. I spoke with him, he feels really good. He is training alone, but maybe next week, or after RB Leipzig (next Wednesday) he will restart.”

City, who lead the Premier League table with maximum points from six outings, also have Rodri out at the moment – the midfielder serves the second game of his three-match ban after being sent off in last Saturday’s 2-0 league win over Nottingham Forest.

Guardiola brought on Kalvin Phillips after Rodri’s dismissal, and he then came into the starting line-up for the 1-0 Carabao Cup loss at Newcastle four days later. Other available midfield options are summer signings Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, who City bought from Wolves last month.

Guardiola said: “Just for the amount he (Rodri) has played, the consistency – of course, it is not easy to replace.

“But he’s out, we’re are going to find another quality, skills that Rodri maybe hasn’t. We are going to use it for the benefit of the team.

“(Phillips) has a chance (of being selected) like the other ones. He’s part of the group, he made incredible contributions playing not regularly. I don’t have any complaints about that.

“Sometimes we are looking for something specific for some positions. When the game is a little bit (moves hands about and scrunches up face) Kalvin is the perfect one. When the game has to be everything in the details, maybe he struggles a little bit more. The game against Newcastle was a tough game, he helped us a lot to win against Nottingham Forest. He has specific qualities, and in some moments we will need him.”

In the last couple of games, Jack Grealish has returned after injury, coming off the bench against Forest, then starting the Newcastle cup tie.

Guardiola was asked about competition in attack between Grealish and Jeremy Doku, another of City’s summer signings, being a talking point, and said: “Jeremy can play on the right as well. So who is going to play more, who is going to perform better?

“Phil Foden can play on the left too. So they compete with Phil Foden as well.

“The guy who performs well and feels better than the other one is going to have more chances to play. Always it has been like that.”

When it was put to Guardiola that that people may regard Wolves – who are 16th with four points – as an easy fixture for City, he said: “Normally all the games we play are ‘easy’ – and if we don’t win the Premier League, 10 points in front, in November, it’s a disaster! I know exactly what it is.

“(Wolves boss Gary) O’Neil did an incredible job at Bournemouth and I have the feeling they will do it too. It is a team where the quality is there. Hopefully we can respond with these next three games before before the international break.”

Trevor Carson admits he found Tony Docherty’s training demands initially tough but insists he is benefiting from the hard work at Dundee.

The 35-year-old Northern Ireland international joined the Dark Blues from St Mirren in the summer on a three-year deal after the Dens Park club had been promoted to the cinch Premiership.

The Dark Blues train at Gardyne Campus at Dundee and Angus College, a venue which has allowed for longer training stints, but that has found favour with Carson.

Ahead of the trip to Easter Road to play Hibernian on Saturday, he told DeeTV: “I think every club has their own sort of identity.

“The one thing since I’ve come here is, we work hard, probably as hard as any team I’ve been at in the last 10 years in my career.

“We have double days out on the pitch a couple of times a week and at the start I found that a bit tough.

“Every training session we do is intense and the manager has got everyone onside with that.

“The first couple of weeks I found it strange, but the more we have done it the fitter I feel and the better we are getting as a team.

“That intensity and just being your best in training every single day, although I am not saying it hasn’t been like that at previous clubs, but we have great facilities here.

“At other clubs the lads are in their cars and away for 12.30, but the gaffer wants us to take advantage of these facilities.

“We have a swimming pool upstairs, a gym, a lovely area to chill out with the lads so I think that is a big thing for the gaffer, he wants us to be in and around the place a lot more.”

Hibs appointed Nick Montgomery as new boss earlier in the month as replacement for Lee Johnson and the Easter Road side are unbeaten in three matches with the 4-2 Viaplay Cup win over St Mirren on Wednesday night setting up a semi-final meeting with Aberdeen.

The Dark Blues have won only one of their first six league matches and sit in ninth place with six points, but Carson is boosted by the way they fought back to draw 2-2 with Kilmarnock at home last weekend after playing the majority of the game with 10 men after Josh Mulligan was sent off in the first half.

Carson, who has played for Cheltenham, Hartlepool and Motherwell among a host of clubs, said: “It will be a tough game. They’ve had a real bounce since a new manager came in and any time you go and play Hibs you’re expecting a really tough game.

“In my time up here in Scotland, maybe four or five years, I haven’t had an many wins there so it’s always going be a tough game, but we know we’ve got a great chance to go and pick up three points.

“That’s all the manager has drilled into us all week, we’re going to win the game. And that’s all we’re thinking about.”

Carla’s Way could have booked a trip to the Breeders’ Cup after storming to victory in the Group Two Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s juvenile cruised past the trailblazing Spiritual between the final two furlongs and was always doing enough under a masterful James Doyle ride to stay clear of the fast-finishing Shuwari.

The daughter of Starspangledbanner was eighth in the Albany at Royal Ascot after a Doncaster debut win and then finished second to Darnation in the Prestige at Goodwood following a wind operation.

This was another big step in the right direction for the 7-2 winner and connections will now consider a trip to Santa Anita.

“She did it really well, I think the fractions early on were pretty strong so all credit to her for picking up well,” a delighted Simon Crisford told ITV Racing.

“I think she was slightly running on empty the last hundred yards, so that’s probably as far as she wants to go trip wise.

“I think the Filles’ Mile back here in two weeks might just be stretching her stamina too much, but a quick two-turn mile at the Breeders’ Cup in California might be OK, as this was a win-and-you’re-in race.”

Shuwari (13-8 favourite) was two and a quarter lengths back in second, with Ylang Ylang staying on for third.

Stefano Pioli is using the pain of derby defeat as fresh inspiration as he attempts to steer AC Milan to success this season.

The Rossoneri were trounced 5-1 by Inter Milan a fortnight ago and then drew 0-0 with Newcastle in their Champions League opener.

They have since beaten Verona and Cagliari to go level on points with Inter at the top of the Serie A table and manager Pioli, who found himself under intense pressure in the wake of a difficult week, is keen to draw a line under the derby day disappointment ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Lazio.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AC Milan (@acmilan)

He told a press conference: “We are doing well, we want to find the right continuity to do well in the league and in the Champions League. We need to focus only on tomorrow.

“We have always lived with balance between negative and positive moments. The derby was not the end of our journey, but a new beginning to start from.

“Now we are not perfect, we are not flawless, but we can put our best performance on the field tomorrow.”

Pioli will hope to have key players back for the weekend, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan having sat out Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Cagliari through injury, while strikers Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao started on the bench with the former not leaving it.

However, the Milan boss was coy about his team selection when asked about the depth of his squad.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by S.S. Lazio (@official_sslazio)

Pioli said: “I am convinced of the quality of my players, but we have to keep moving forward.

“After the break, a new season started. To stay at the top, we need to be strong in every aspect. Now we only think about tomorrow.”

Lazio will arrive at the San Siro after clinching just their second win of the campaign in midweek, when they beat Torino 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Pioli will hope a third successive victory will ease the tide of criticism which has come his way, although he remains philosophical.

He said: “It’s useless to talk about the criticisms. We are Milan, we want to win and be competitive. The club is following a wonderful path, already capable of winning and to put the accounts right. Everyone is working very well.

“We are Milan, the praise and criticism are high. It’s part of our job.”