RIO Ferdinand, Danny Mills, Nigel Martyn and Robbie Fowler will travel back round the world at the end of July as Leeds go on a tour of China, Australia and Thailand.

After spending the summer with England in Japan, the quartet might have preferred a pre-season friendly at Halifax but with Leeds looking to cash in on Far East football mania, they will have to pack their bags once again.

They play Green Town of Hangzhou in China followed by a match against Chilean team Colo Colo in Melbourne. The trip is rounded off in Bangkok on 30 July.

Chairman Peter Ridsdale said: "We have been inundated with requests to visit the Far East and Australia in recent times.

Updated: 11:18 Saturday, June 22, 2002