West Bromwich Albion to play in USA in preparation for next season

West Brom will make two overseas trips as part of their preparations for next season including a return to the United States.

The Baggies will spend 10 days on the east coast of America and play three games, including one against MLS new-boys Orlando City.

And they will kick-off their pre-season with a seven-day camp in Austria including a clash with top-flight side Red Bull Salzburg.

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Tony Pulis's side will take on Orlando City, who include his son Anthony on their coaching staff, at the 65,000-capacity Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.

Orlando City, managed by former Everton striker Adrian Heath, joined the Major League Soccer earlier this year and count Brazilian star Kaka among their key players.

Albion will then fly to South Carolina to take on United Soccer League side Charleston Battery at the Blackbaud Stadium on Friday, July 17, before completing their tour on Sunday, July 19, with a match against Richmond Kickers, also of the USL, at the Richmond City Stadium.

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Both kick-off times are yet to be confirmed.

Albion will report back for training on June 29 and will quickly fly to Austria for a week-long training camp that includes a friendly against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday, July 8. The kick-off time and venue are still to be confirmed.

Once back British soil, Albion will face Walsall at the Banks's Stadium on Tuesday, July 28 (7.30pm) on the same night as an Albion XI head for The New Lawn to take on Forest Green Rovers (7.30pm).

Albion will complete their preparations for the new campaign with a game against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium on Friday, July 31, in a testimonial for Rovers physio and ex-player Phil Kite.

Pulis said: "We have a short pre-season this summer because next season starts earlier for all of us (August 8/9).

"The players will each be given an extensive programme to follow when they leave us for the summer and will be in for a period of hard graft when they return back to training.

"We will be going to Austria and then onto the United States, which is where I've taken clubs in the past.

"We're going to States because the opposition is strong but also because the players will have to work in heat and humidity, which will make it more beneficial for their fitness.

"Orlando will be an especially tough game for us. We played them when I was with Stoke, but they've now become an MLS side so they play to a very high standard themselves.

"We'll then come back and play a couple of friendlies over here including a testimonial for my old team-mate Phil Kite, who I knew from my days at Bristol Rovers."