BLUES’ pre-season trip to Tanzania is moving a step closer.

Andy Watson and Dr Ian McGuinness are flying out to the east African state a week on Monday on a fact-finding mission.

Blues are considering a two-game tour of Tanzania in mid-July.

Organising agents are prepared to pay Blues around £1 million for what would be their first ever visit to the continent.

However, St Andrew’s insiders have stressed that nothing is definite and reported dates of the friendlies, against Tanzania’s top two sides Simba and Yanga, on July 7 and 8 respectively, are incorrect.

Blues went to Carson Yeung’s homeland Hong Kong and China last pre-season.

A return was not on the agenda this year and the Tanzania proposal caught Blues’ eye. However, Blues would only press ahead if they were satisfied about the facilities and welfare of their squad.

Hence, first-team coach Watson and the head of their medical department, Dr McGuinness, are flying out to implement a thorough check on the destination.

Ismail Aden Rage, chairman of Simba, said they would be running the rule over the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, where both games would be played, and the five-star Movenpick Hotel, where Blues would stay.