Town are close to confirming friendlies with two Premier League clubs at Portman Road in the build up to the new season.

Saturday July 26 and Monday, August 4 are the two dates provisionally set aside for the games.

"We are close to finalising our pre-season programme and have lined up Premier League opposition," Town boss Jim Magilton told the Club website.

"We are looking at playing two matches at Portman Road and they will hopefully both be against Premier League opposition.

"We will also be going to Loughborough University for a week, as we did last year. We have built up a good relationship with the people there and the sports science side of the game is something we take very seriously.

"The players will be like lab rats, looked at, checked and then checked again."

Jim also confirmed that the Club are planning a tour of Northern Ireland as part of the pre-season schedule.

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