Bristol City will return to Portugal for an intensive training camp as part of their pre-season preparations.

Gary Johnson and his side will fly to the Algarve on July 8 for five days of fitness work at a complex that housed the City players for a short stay before the start of last season.

They will play one training game behind closed doors whilst out there, before returning to Bristol on July 12 ahead of their arranged pre-season friendly programme.

"We are going to the Algarve because we can fly from Bristol, it boasts top-class facilities and the players will be comfortable there," said Johnson.

"It is a part of the world which has proved successful to us twice. Once, when we went there on a mid-season break in the 2005-06 season and secondly when we spent a week there as part of our pre-season preparations last year.

"The venue itself is very conducive to a 24-hour focus on fitness and organisation.

"It is not a holiday, the players will be working hard out there.

"The fact that the Algarve provides lovely food and weather is neither here nor there –although it helps!

"It is a good opportunity for team bonding ahead of the new campaign, if we are able to bring in any new players by that time, and helps me judge the personality of the group as a whole."