Birmingham City and an Everton XI are the eye-catching opponents from the list of pre-season fixtures that Oxford United have announced today.

Both they, and Milton Keynes Dons from League One, will be making their first appearances at the Kassam Stadium when they play there next month.

Birmingham, who are in the UEFA Europa League after winning the Carling Cup last season, were relegated from the Barclays Premier League on the final day of the season.

They take on Chris Wilder’s team on Tuesday, July 26 (7.45).

Among the big names the Blues could bring to Oxford are England goalkeeper Ben Foster, who has made himself unavailable for international selection to prolong his club career.

Three days later, on July 29 (7.45), the U’s face an Everton XI, also at the Kassam Stadium, with both clubs having just returned from the United States.

MK Dons, who lost in the League One play-offs, will also provide strong opposition for an Oxford side preparing for their second season back in the Football League.

These two teams will lock horns for the first time, soon after United return from their US tour, on Saturday, July 23 (3pm).

In total, Oxford United are to play nine matches during their pre-season schedule, including three in Amer- ica.

United’s first pre-season friendly is at Didcot Town on Saturday, July 9 (3pm).

The club will then embark on their historic trip to the United States, playing Seacoast United, of the USL Premier Development League, on Thursday, July 14 (6.30pm local time) at Exeter High School, New Hamp- shire.

The second match will be against National Premier Soccer League side Mass United, also at Exeter High School, on Saturday, July 16 (3pm local time).

And the third match of the tour will be against Seacoast United, of the National Premier Soccer League, at Portsmouth High School, New Hampshire on Monday, July 18 (6.30pm local time).

After their return from America, and following the three big home matches, an Oxford United XI will visit Brackley on Wednesday, July 27 (7.30pm).

The final pre-season match before the new campaign starts on Saturday August 6, will be on Monday, August 1 when an Oxford United XI travel to Thame United.

U’s boss Chris Wilder said: “We feel we have got the balance right with the standard of opposition we are due to play.

“Obviously we have the tour to the United States and three matches to play there, followed by some local games.

“We have three high-profile matches at home against higher league opposition, which I am sure will excite the fans.

“It will also give them the chance to see our new signings in action in an Oxford United shirt.”