Norwich City will take the High Road before the start of next season - hoping it will prove a good omen.The Canaries today revealed their plans for their pre-season schedule, when they will embark on a two-match tour of Scotland.

Norwich City will take the High Road before the start of next season - hoping it will prove a good omen.

The Canaries today revealed their plans for their pre-season schedule, when they will embark on a two-match tour of Scotland.

City will take on Livingstone and Falkirk in friendly matches in mid-July, following games with Norfolk side Fakenham and cash-strapped Cambridge United.

The last trip north of the border for manager Nigel Worthington and his squad preceded their Nationwide League title-winning season of 2003-2004. Since then, they have prepared for the new campaign with trips to Malaysia and Holland.

Worthington said the decision to go north of the border was made out of a desire to sample British opposition.

“We thought long and hard about this year,” he said. “We've been round Europe a little bit and Malaysia over the past few years so we decided it was time to get back to basics.

“Scottish sides will be slightly ahead of us in terms of preparation by then so we will get good, British-style games. They will be very competitive, so that will set us up for the start of next season."

The Livingston match will be on Tuesday, July 18, and the Falkirk game on Saturday, July 22.

After that City return to Norfolk, where they are set to play two home matches against as yet unconfirmed opposition.

The match at Fakenham on Wednesday, July 12, is expected to draw a big crowd, helping to boost the coffers of the Ridgeons League Division One club.

The game marks the opening of the Ghosts' new changing facilities, and club spokesman Mark Rayner said he was pleased to welcome the Canaries back to Clipbush Park.

“It's great to have Norwich City back in Fakenham,” he said. “They've been before and we've had some very nice evenings.”

Worthington said other local sides had been interested in entertaining the Canaries, but said factors such as the state of the pitches had to be taken into account when looking after the well-being of his players.

“It's great for the locals, and one thing we had to make sure of is the surface the players will be on is decent,” he said.

“That is something which comes into decision making locally. We want to share it around as much as possible, but certainly the pitch comes into it.”

Ticket details for City's pre-season matches will be published later.

Full pre-season schedule - July 12: Fakenham Town v Norwich City. July 15: Cambridge United v Norwich City. July 18: Livingston v Norwich City. July 22: Falkirk v Norwich City. July 25: Norwich City v to be confirmed. July 28 or 29: Norwich City v to be confirmed.