Albion set for training week in Holland

Albion have announced a week of pre-season training in Holland to prepare for the new Premier League season.

The Baggies will spend a week at a training camp near Eindhoven from July 11 but will play just one match abroad this summer - a friendly at VVV Venlo on July 17.

Boss Roberto Di Matteo has cut down the number of matches on tour to focus on tactical work ahead of his side's return to the top flight.

Sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth said: "I visited five or six different set-ups across Europe and this one offered the best hotel and training facilities, which are both top notch.

"The journey to Eindhoven is straightforward, so this trip certainly ticks the box from a logistical point of view.

"We're also pleased to have arranged a friendly against VVV Venlo. At that stage of the team's preparations, Venlo will be just the kind of testing opposition the players will need as they get ready to return to the top flight.

"We've only lined up one game on the trip at Robbie's request as he primarily wants to work with the players on the training pitch, focussing on tactical preparation for the Premier League."

Venlo finished 12th in the Netherlands' top division, the Eredivisie, last season just a year after winning promotion from the second tier.

The club, who were founded in 1903, play at the 7,500-capacity De Koel stadium in the south-eastern city of Venlo, which is close to the Dutch-German border.

The match, for which the kick-off time is still to be announced, will take Albion back to familiar territory after they based themselves in Venlo for their trip to Holland and Germany two years ago.

Tony Mowbray's side trained at Sportclub Irene on the outskirts of the city but both of their matches took place across the border against German Bundesliga opposition.

The lost 4-1 to Cologne and 2-1 to Borussia Monchengladbach

Last season's trip to Slovenia included 3-0 win against NK Nafta and a 2-2 draw at NK Varteks in neighbourning Croatia.

But Di Matteo, who inherited the plans for Slovenia, was keen this year to play fewer matches and train in a cooler climate.

Albion have already announced domestic friendlies against Kidderminster on July 10, Doncaster on July 27 and Coventry on July 31.