Home games against a former Premier League champion and one of manager Ian Evatt's old clubs are just two of the pre-season friendlies that have been scheduled by Barrow AFC for this summer.

It had already been revealed on Thursday that the Bluebirds will be heading to Cumbrian rivals Workington on Saturday, July 13, while four more of their seven scheduled friendlies have been announced.

AFC's first game back is arguably the best of their pre-season programme, as they'll be welcoming to Holker Street Championship side Blackburn Rovers on July 6.

A lot has obviously changed since Rovers dramatically won the title in 1995, but Tony Mowbray's side will still represent a good test, especially as they'll be fielding their first team.

The next confirmed game is at Workington, with the match either taking place at the Reds' Borough Park ground or Derwent Park, home of rugby league side Workington Town.

Following that is another home friendly, with League One side Blackpool, a club who Evatt served with distinction for seven years, on July 20. The AFC boss made 251 appearances for the Seasiders, with whom he won two promotions, including to the Premier League in 2010.

A trip to Northern Premier League side Lancaster City follows on Tuesday, July 23 before Sheffield United's under-23 team, which could include former loanees Tyler Smith and Rhys Norrington-Davies in their ranks, come to Holker Street the following Saturday.

Two other friendlies on July 9 and July 16 are lined up, but are yet to be confirmed, with the latter seeing another EFL team coming up to Barrow.