West Ham will prepare for their Nationwide League promotion bid with a short trip to Sweden, as well as hosting a leading German or Dutch side in a curtain-raiser to the campaign.

The pre-season programme represents a change from past season, although the traditional games against lower-division clubs in the London area look set to remain.

Caretaker manager Trevor Brooking is planning to begin with a burst of four or five matches in England in early July.

Then comes a five-day spell in Sweden, with Hammers taking on sides well immersed in their domestic season, before returning to England to face a Bundesliga or Eredivision side a week before the big kick off on August 9.

Published Thursday, May 22, 2003

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