Paul Heckingbottom has already made detailed plans for Barnsley's pre-season while insisting the poor run of results at the end of the 2016/17 campaign will have no impact on the next one.

The Reds players are due back at Oakwell for pre-season training on June 26 then they will go on a five-day training camp in Hungary the following week, which is likely to include their first friendly.

They then return to the UK and are due to visit non-league Guiseley on July 11 before travelling to League Two outfits Grimsby Town, away on July 15, then Coventry at home on July 18 before visiting former manager Keith Hill's Rochdale on July 25. They are also hoping to arrange a game against one of their South Yorkshire rivals while they are still looking for a high-profile name to host at Oakwell.

Heckingbottom said: "It will be nice to have a change of environment in Hungary and we're in a hotel with great facilities for a training camp.  We had options in Poland, Austria and Scotland but we have got the best deal and best travelling options in Hungary. It will be a good chance to start building team spirit."

Although they finished comfortably clear of the relegation zone in 14th position and with their best Championship points total since the 2000 play-off final loss, Barnsley won just two of their final 18 matches in the 2016/17 season. Heckingbottom does not believe that will have any bearing on next season, when the majority of his squad is likely to have changed as the six loan players have returned to their parent clubs and he released ten last week with others likely to choose not to return.

He said: "It will be a totally different team so there can't be any hangover from last season. My aim is to have a better team for next season than the one that finished this season. It is difficult because we will have a lot of new players all coming in."

Barnsley's players are now on their post-season break but Andy Yiadom, Adam Hammill and Marc Roberts are all receiving treatment at Oakwell on their injuries with the hope of being fit for pre-season.

Heckingbottom said: "The players have got individual plans tailored to them and they will work on what they need to make them better players for next season.  They will get a couple of weeks of downtime rest and lowkey exercise because it is important that we mentally recharge. We didn't have that last season after the play-offs.

"Then they will gradually increase their training loads until they come back for pre-season.  We'll be able to tell if anyone hasn't done their work. Anyone who hasn't will be way behind and it tells us a lot about how hard-working and conscientious the players are. The ones who have done all the work will end up starting the season."

The new season begins on August 5 while the fixtures come out on June 21.