Sami Hyypia expects to find out a lot about his players when they go to Spain.

The Seagulls fly to Pinatar tomorrow to step up their preparations ahead of the new Championship season which begins on August 9 at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

They will play games against Partick Thistle on Saturday and Real Betis next Thursday before heading back to England.

The training time and matches will help Hyypia to reinforce to his new charges how he wants them to play.

But it will also be an opportunity for the Seagulls boss to discover more about the players at his disposal.

He said: “It’s great that we have a chance to get to know each other a little bit better.

“Most of the players were here last year so I need that more maybe than many of the players. They know each other but I don’t know them maybe well enough. It’s a good opportunity for me. We will work hard in Spain.

“It will be hot there but sometimes you play in hot conditions here as well.”

Albion have games against Crawley Town, Peterborough and Southampton when they return from Spain. It is all part of a measured pre-season programme and Hyypia says work will be stepped up a notch during their time abroad.

He added: “For the players as well it will be good to be together all day long.

“We will train a bit harder when we go there. The first week you have to be careful you don't train too much and get injuries.

“The goal is to work as hard as we can without injuries. Hopefully everybody will stay fit.”