Town boss Jim Magilton has decided to scrap the annual foreign pre-season tour. The Blues have traditionally spent four or five days away playing European sides, usually in Scandinavia.

As previously revealed by TWTD, Magilton has made major changes to the Blues' pre-season programme with the players returning earlier than ever before on July 12th. Initially they will train at Playford Road for three days a week, then four, before getting back into full-time action.

The Blues will also spend a week at Loughborough University working on fitness and will play more friendlies than in previous seasons. A game at Burton Albion has already been set for July 10th, while there will be local friendlies at Bury Town, Felixstowe and Walton and others. The Blues' only venture overseas will be for a game in Magilton's native Belfast.

Local clubs will also be invited to bring sides to Playford Road for behind-closed-doors practice games. There are also plans for two Portman Road matches against Premiership or top European opposition. The Blues are still owed the second friendly with Lazio agreed in 2003 when Matteo Sereni moved on to the Rome club.

Town will also hold a community day when fans will be able to watch the squad play a game and meet the players as they prepare for their 2007/08 campaign.

Magilton feels that a pre-season tour holds little real value and can even be counter-productive.

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