STEVE Coppell has warned Bristol City's players not to expect an easy ride in Sweden next month.

City's proposed week-long Scandinavian tour represents a central part of the manager's planning ahead of the new Championship campaign, which starts on August 7.

The Robins meets top-flight Swedish sides IFK Gothenberg and Helsingborgs on July 13 and 15 respectively, and complete their three-match tour with a friendly contest against third division outfit FC Vallens on July 17.

And Coppell, who toured the Scandinavian country on several occasions with Reading, anticipates a tough, physical test for his new charges.

City's players have travelled to Latvia and Portugal as part of their pre-season preparations in recent years and generally played against lower league or local opposition. But the Swedish clubs are midway through their season and their players are likely to be fitter than City's, who only report back for pre-season training on July 1.

Coppell said: "The Swedes are in mid-season and I would hope we will be playing against teams who are very fit.

"Ordinarily, I would say we are be technically superior to the sides we are playing, but the fixtures we have are designed to test the players physically.

"We are up against two top Swedish sides and it will be a very stern test for us so early in our pre-season campaign. The results are not of any real importance, because it is all about preparation for the new season.

"It's more about the way we play, the style and the fitness levels. It's going to be hard work for the players."

Coppell is no stranger to Scandinavia, and he recalled: "It's something I've done many times before when I was manager of both Crystal Palace and Reading.

"Sweden is a lovely environment in which to work, the pitches are usually top quality and the food and facilities are excellent."

City's players have yet to be involved in a game under the direct charge of their new manager and Coppell intends using the tour to foster close ties with his squad.

He said: "It's about getting to know one another and forging a spirit and an understanding.

"I want the players to understand and appreciate what we are doing and to realise they are not being asked to do something they are not capable of.

"I would hope the players will attack the tour and benefit from it."

Although City are still in the process of arranging a high-profile home friendly, their pre-season programme is taking shape and Coppell has already arranged a series of friendly fixtures against lower-league opposition.

Once they have returned from Sweden, City will play Torquay United at Plainmoor on Wednesday, July 21 and then meet Aldershot, another League Two side, at the Recreation Ground three days later.

They then step-up their preparations with games against League One Exeter City at St James Park on Monday, July 26 and Yeovil Town at Huish Park 48 hours later.