Owen Coyle’s Bolton will be the star attraction of City’s pre-season programme.

The Premier League side have agreed to visit Valley Parade on Sunday, July 24 – the highlight of six friendlies that Peter Jackson has drawn up.

But financial constraints mean there will be no tour like last year when Peter Taylor took the team to Essex for a week.

Jackson said: “That can be good for team bonding and in the past I’ve been away to Spain as well as numerous army camps. But it’s down to finances and I understand that.

“To do it correctly would be too much money. That would be better spent on the club and bringing in players than going away on a pre-season tour.”

City return for pre-season training on June 27 and will spend just over a fortnight back before the opening game at Silsden on Wednesday, July 13. Two days later they travel to Derbyshire to face Matlock, Ross Hannah’s former club.

City will return to Nethermoor to face Guiseley on Tuesday, July 19 after last year’s game was aborted because of a row over the kick-off time.

Taylor wanted all the away evening matches to start at 7pm – this one will have the usual 7.45 kick-off.

Bolton come to West Yorkshire the following weekend and City round off their warm-up schedule with a derby at Park Avenue three days later and a home clash with League One Carlisle on the final Saturday before the season begins.

City were criticised last year for playing only one league club because the Valley Parade pitch was out of action. With FA Cup semi-finalists Bolton and Greg Abbott’s Cumbrians on the agenda this time, Jackson is happy with the variety of opposition.

He added: “I was looking for about six games in total and I think there’s a good balance.

“Bolton will obviously be a good one for the fans here. Owen Coyle has got a top-quality Premier League side there who have done extremely well to finish in the top ten.

“It will be a good test for us and also a chance for the crowd to hopefully see some of the new signings.

“It’s also important to play the local clubs because those games will attract plenty of supporters. It’s good for us and the home team can also make a bit of money which gets their season off to a good start.”

CITY FRIENDLIES: Wed, July 13: Silsden A 7.45pm; Fri, July 15, Matlock A 7.45pm; Tues, July 19, Guiseley A 7.45pm; Sun, July 24 Bolton H 3pm; Wed, July 27, Park Avenue A 7.45pm; Sat, July 30, Carlisle H 3pm.