Neil Warnock insists Cardiff City are making the right pre-season plans this summer after announcing a tour of North America.

The Bluebirds – who are preparing for life back in the Championship after relegation from the Premier League – will play two games in the United States and one in Canada.

Last season, in readiness to take on the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and others, Cardiff went on a rather more humble trip to Devon and Cornwall.

The benefits were certainly hard to detect as they failed to win any of their first eight league matches.

This time, they will gear up for the new campaign by playing USL Championship teams San Antonio FC and New Mexico United. The USL is one level below the MLS.

The first game against San Antonio will be on July 13, with the second in New Mexico five days later.

The squad will then fly to Canada to play in Edmonton on July 20, against opponents yet to be named.

Manager Warnock said: “I think it’s a great opportunity to get the lads away for ten days and play three tough matches at great facilities.

“We’re also hoping to soon confirm an attractive home match against foreign opposition for the final Saturday before the season starts.”