OXFORD United will prepare for the new campaign with pre-season friendlies against two Sky Bet Championship clubs.

Brentford visit the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday, July 19, before the U’s host Birmingham City on Saturday, July 22.

United have tasted victory against both sides in the league cup in recent years, beating the Bees 4-0 in 2015 and the Blues 1-0 last season.

Oxford-born Josh McEachran is on the books at Brentford, while United striker Wes Thomas spent two years at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp, who signed a one-year contract last week after saving the club from relegation on the last day of the season, returns to the Kassam Stadium for the first time since a friendly in 2006.

The former Tottenham manager was Bobby Moore’s assistant at Oxford City in 1979 and worked with former U’s boss Jim Smith at Portsmouth and Southampton.

The fixtures add to United’s already arranged game at City on Saturday, July 8, before two fixtures during the club’s training camp in Portugal.