Shrewsbury Town have put the finishing touches to their pre-season programme – with a training camp in Spain and a home friendly with Premiership Stoke City on the agenda.Manager Paul Simpson today confirmed he will take his side to Almeria for four days, starting on July 13, after checking out the training headquarters last weekend.

Town will not play any matches during their brief overseas trip, but manager Simpson confirmed his squad will be training three times a day.

“We have got a fantastic deal which will enable us to go to Spain for four days and it’s not going to cost us any more than if we had stopped in the UK,” said the Town boss, who was due to unveil two new permanent signings, as well as the full-time addition of Asa Hall later today.

“I have been out there for a day and a half to check over everything. It’s a fantastic facility and it’s got everything we need.

“It’s a change of scenery and the chance for the squad to live in each other’s pockets for a few days which I think is important.”

Town will then return to England for a series of five friendlies – which now include two games against Premiership opposition following Stoke’s addition to the pre-season list.

Tony Pulis will bring his side to Oteley Road on August 2, a week after West Bromwich Albion – the other team automatically promoted to the top flight from the Championship – head to Shrewsbury.

“We are delighted that Stoke have agreed to it and the two games against Premiership sides we have got are against local teams and they are great for the fans,” Simpson added.

“It will be a really big test for us and that’s what we want.

“We want to win the games but the result isn’t important in the long term so it’s a chance to work on fitness and get ourselves right.”

With a trip to Stafford Rangers, a Shropshire Senior Cup semi-final against Market Drayton and potentially a final to come, Town have five pre-season fixtures.

“In the past I have put too many games in and it’s affected training so I’m pleased with that number,” said Simpson, who will meet with assistant John McMahon and coach Stuart Delaney tomorrow to finalise the pre-season training programme.

“The only way there will be another fixture added is if we don’t qualify for the Shropshire Senior Cup final.”

By James Garrison