Brian McBride says Fulham's new-look squad is shaping up well in preseason.

Fulham's participation in the 2007 Barclays Asia Trophy has provided a new challenge with training and matches being played in intense humidity and McBride is pleased with how Fulham's preparations for next season are shaping up.

USA international striker McBride told fulhamfc.com: "The team has worked very hard this pre season. I think we are now really starting to gel - the coaches have put us through a good programme and it's been a good test so far. One of the hardest things on this tour is that the air is thick and heavy and even though we are not used to playing in conditions like this I think that in the end it's going to help us.

"In fitness in pre season you have to give yourself a push and the exertion from the conditions is not a bag thing. I think it's impossible to press for 90 minutes straight in these conditions. You have to pick and choose dependent on the shape and I think on Tuesday we had a very good shape especially in the first thirty minutes - we closed the ball down quite well and got in some good positions and the biggest thing is that when you take your breaks you make sure you keep your shape.

"We want to be a team now that competes in every game we play from the beginning of the season and from what I have seen of the attitude this pre season I think the future can be very positive for us."