LEE CLARK is ready to step up his pre-season build-up as Town head to Scotland for the first time in 11 years.

The manager has rung the changes during the three friendlies so far, but is set to give players longer spells on the pitch.

Town take on Hamilton Academical on Sunday (2.00) and Dunfermline Athletic on Tuesday (7.00) as part of a five-day tour.

The rest of the time, they’ll be training at their Edinburgh base, and Clark explained: “Things are about to get that bit more intense.

“By the end of the trip, I want players completing 90 minutes so that they start to build-up their fitness levels and sharpness.

“We travel up to Scotland after training today, and there will be a double session tomorrow before the Hamilton match on Sunday.

“We’ve had good work-outs against Gateshead and Wrexham, and I expect Hamilton and Dunfermline to be tougher still.

“Their season starts earlier than ours, so they will be that bit further down the road in terms of preparation.

“And in my experience, the Scottish sides are always keen to put one over on English teams, even in friendlies, so that will add a bit to the games.”

Clark was satisfied with Wednesday’s Wrexham work-out, when Lee Novak netted his second goal of pre-season after Jordan Rhodes scored Town’s first.

“We did some decent things, but of course we still have plenty of things to work on and plenty more rust to shake off.

“Some players were out of their natural positions, we worked on a few things in terms of formation and we made quite a few changes, but that’s what friendlies are for.”

Hamilton, who were relegated from the Scottish Premier League last season, will aim for a third successive pre-season win against Town.

Billy Reid’s side, who open up at Queen’s Park in the Ramdsens Cup first round on Saturday week, July 23, won 4-0 at Gretna after a 2-0 victory over Berwick.

It’s £5 adults and £1 concessions at New Douglas Park, Accies’ home since 2001.

It’s Town’s first visit to the venue, but their second clash with Hamilton, who beat them 2-1 during the Hartlepool centenary tournament in 2009.