DAGGERS will be playing host to Millwall as part of their pre-season programme of friendlies this summer.

The South London side, now under the managership of former Chelsea and Liverpool star Nigel Spackman, will visit Victoria Road on July 22.

It will be one of his first games in charge for the new Lions boss while Daggers will be keen to show what they can do against the League One side.

Daggers boss John Still (pictured) has already said he is keen to give his players a strong workout in the pre-season as he looks to make a solid start to the new campaign.

And being a man of his word, Still has made sure his side will also be pitting their wits ahead of the new season against the likes of newly-promoted Leyton Orient (July 26) and Bishop's Stortford (July 29), before rounding the pre-season schedule with the visit of Premiership Charlton (August 8). Other opponents include home and away ties with Barking and East Ham, King's Lynn, Arlesey, East Thurrock and Billericay Town.

Meandwhile, Daggers players Glen Southam, Craig Mackail-Smith and Shane Blackett will be in the England side for the Home Nations Tournament, which starts on Saturday. Keeper Tony Roberts will be playing for Wales in the competition.

Still has already started preparing for next season by strengthening his squad following the signing of Bishop's Stortford midfielder Dave Rainsford.

And Daggers got a further boost in the middle of the park when Paul Bruce agreed a new contract with the club.

Bruce has made 120 appearances for the Daggers since his arrival from Queens Park Rangers in 2000, scoring 11 goals. His new deal sees the midfielder sign on at the club for another year.

And while Still is looking to further strengthen his first team, he will be keeping an eye on the club's youngsters, who secured a treble success by winning the Eastern Junior Alliance play-off final.

Following their double capture of the Southern Division league title and the Essex County Cup, Daggers' U16s team excelled further by clinching the play-offs in the mini-league play-off tournament for the three league winners.

Daggers were victorious against fellow regional winners Bury Town (Northern) and Stevenage Borough (Central). Although Stevenage and Daggers both finished on four points, Daggers won through as they had scored more goals overall.

Still told the Guardian this week: "We've got our youth academy here now and a lot of these boys will be playing in this and will be involved at reserve level.

"Our youth teams have done really well this season and there is no reason why some of them can't push their way through.

"I'm pleased with the pre-season programme we have set up.

"It will give the boys a good workout, which is what we want.

"The big games are against Millwall, Leyton Orient and Charlton, but equally there will be some tests for us from the other sides.

"They may be pre-season friendlies, but there is still a lot of competition between teams in these matches and hopefully it can only put us in a strong position for the start of the next season."

Still is also looking to boost his squad further, adding: "There's talking and scouting going on at the moment.

"I know what and who I want and it's ongoing at the moment.

"There's no need to rush anything as we've got time and want to use it as wisely as we can."