The Cleveland Browns have confirmed that Brian Hoyer will start under center when the team face the Washington Redskins in a pre-season fixture next week.

Hoyer has been battling it out with Johnny Manziel for the position of starter throughout the off-season, but coach Mike Pettine has also stated that his latest decision won't represent who gets the nod at the start of the campaign.

"It's just something right now where we are comfortable with Brian going out there to start the game," Pettine said in statement released by the club.

"I think it's a little overblown as to who the starter is going to be. The key component, as I've stated earlier this week, is that we are going to balance the reps."

The new NFL season gets underway in September.