Northampton manager Stuart Gray hopes the club's scheduled pre-season tour of Germany proves to be a positive experience for his charges.Gray takes his men to the continent next week to play two matches against Vihren Sandanski and FC Kleve, after the Cobblers began their campaign with a 0-0 draw against non-league side Brackley Town.

"I'm a great believer in a six-week pre-season but I think it's important to break those six weeks up a bit," Gray told the club's official website.

"We will be training very hard over there but hopefully our time there will also help with the team bonding."

The trip will also give Gray a chance to have a look at his new signings, with Liam Davis, Abdul Osman and Leon Constantine all arriving at Sixfields in the close season.

"It will help the players to get the know the new lads and it will also allow me the opportunity to get to know their strengths and weaknesses as well," he added.

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