SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is hoping to take his squad to Spain for the start of pre-season training.

The Shrimpers are due to report back in at the start of July.

And Brown is keen to again take the team to the Iberian peninsula in preparation for the forthcoming season.

“Going to Spain last season was great and we’re hopefully close to getting something sorted for this pre-season as well,” said the Blues boss.

“I think it’s important to freshen things up during pre-season, you need a change of scenery and it’s good for team bonding to be away like that too.

“We would ideally like to be out there for five or six days and, although nothing has been finalised just yet, we are close to agreeing a deal with an agent which would see us heading out to the south of Spain.”

The Shrimpers do not plan to play any matches while in Spain and they will therefore be starting their pre-season schedule with a behind closed doors clash against Tottenham Hotspur in mid-July.

“Tottenham have got in touch requesting for us to play a behind closed doors game and it will be a great way for us to get going again,” said Brown.

“I’m not sure what kind of team Tottenham will be putting it but it’s a fantastic facility they have and it will be great to go there and play again.

“I would imagine we would be looking at playing three lots of 30 minutes but all that has yet to be discussed.”