OXFORD United, Rushden & Diamonds and Chelmsford City are being lined up as pre-season opponents but Tottenham Hotspur will not be coming to Portman Road.

By Derek Davis

OXFORD United, Rushden & Diamonds and Chelmsford City are being lined up as pre-season opponents but Tottenham Hotspur will not be coming to Portman Road.

Burton Albion and Kettering Town will offer opposition during the week that the Blues are training at Loughbrough University followed by a visit to Nene Park, managed by former Heybridge Swifts and Dagenham & Redbridge boss Garry Hill.

The proposed trip to Austria for a mini-tournament is still on the cards but nothing has yet been finalised

Magilton said: “Spurs going to South Africa has kippered us so we are looking for a big game leading up to August 11.

“It looks very likely we will play Oxford United and send a team to Chelmsford City while we are also talking with Rushden & Diamonds about a friendly there. This is my first time organising pre-season fixtures and it is a challenge. Steve McCall is playing a big part and hopefully we can put out a completed schedule very soon.”

The Blues met Magilton's former club Oxford in July, 2004, and it is probable they will be at the Kassam Stadium in the early part of the month. The Blues will also send a side to Ryman League Premier Division side Chelmsford City's new Melbourne Park Stadium.