Aussie team to face Latics

ATHLETIC will face opposition from the other side of the world this summer when Melbourne Heart arrive at Boundary Park for a friendly.

The A-League outfit — which shares a link with Premier League champions Manchester City following a takeover earlier this year — roll into town for a pre-season match on July 19.

Heart, which had Harry Kewell as captain last season, are expected to tie up a deal to sign Fulham winger Damien Duff after the World Cup.

And in line with the wishes of their new Abu Dhabi-based owners, who also own New York City FC, the Melbourne club is likely to undergo a name change to Melbourne City.

Athletic has so far announced six first-team summer fixtures: at home to Newcastle United on July 15 and Huddersfield Town on August 2. The other three games are at Curzon Ashton on July 10; Morecambe on July 22 and Barrow on Saturday, July 26.

Johnson is making plans for a team-building stay on the west coast between the Morecambe and Barrow games — though that could change if the club is able to find a sponsor for an overseas trip.