Palace preparing for Austria and USA

Last updated : 30 June 2014 By Matthew Roche

The team will begin the pre-season at a week-long ‘high altitude training camp’ close to the Austrian village of Irdning. Nestled high up in the Alps, some areas of Irdning record an altitude of over 4,500 feet above sea level. These low oxygen levels have been used by major clubs such as Real Madrid and England in recent years to help increase performance levels. Manager Tony Pulis, who previously visited the camp with Stoke FC, highlighted the benefits of training at high altitude stating "fitness-wise though, it doesn’t half help them".

Palace will complete their time in Austria with a friendly against the 2003/04 Austrian Champions GAK Graz before travelling west for America.

The Eagles will begin their nine day stateside tour with two days of training followed by three fixtures. The visit will see Palace face MLS sides Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union before concluding with a friendly against USL PRO club Richmond Kickers.

Pulis is said to be keen on improving the Palace's stateside profile. Their 3-1 victory over Sunderland in August generated some of the largest viewing figures from last season's NBC Sports coverage of the Premier League.   He is also keen for his players to reap the benefits of the high humidity they will inevitably experience playing in America and 'the players will really, really be asked questions about their fitness levels' as a result of this variation of playing conditions.

Palace are expected to complete their schedule of pre-season friendly matches against Brentford on 2nd August before kicking off the 2014/2015 Season away from home to Arsenal on 16th August.

Pre-season fixtures:-

16th July -         GAK Graz (Neutral)

23rd July -         Columbus Crew (Away)

25th July -         Philadelphia Union (Away)

28th July -         Richmond Kickers (Away)

2nd August -      Brentford (Away)