AFC TOTTON have passed on their thanks to ex-Saints duo Garry Monk and James Beattie after Birmingham City agreed to send their under-23s to the Testwood Community Stadium for a pre-season friendly.

Former centre-back Monk is manager of the Championship outfit and ex-Southampton striker Beattie is first-team coach.

"To have such a big club send a side down to play us is a huge boost for the Stags and AFC Totton are extremely grateful to Garry and James for personally arranging Birmingham City to come here," said an AFCT statement.

"Such an attractive fixture is likely to pull in a decent crowd."

Birmingham's visit is scheduled for Saturday, August 4 with a 3pm kick-off.

The Stags pre-season schedule is gradually starting to take shape with three other fixtures announced so far.

On July 10 the Stags make the short trip to Brockenhurst (7.45pm) before hosting an attractive looking fixture against Lee Bradbury’s National League side Havant & Waterlooville at the Testwood Community Stadium on July 17th (7.45pm).

On July 24 Louis Langdown's men travel to Brockenhurst's Sydenhams Premier rivals Hamble Club (7.45pm).