Wrexham’s players have touched down in Australia and are beginning preparations for their first clash.
Wrexham face Melbourne Victory on Friday 11 July and Phil Parkinson will get the opportunity to cast an eye over his squad for the first time this season.
Wrexham’s 30-man squad includes Ollie Palmer, who despite being told his future lies elsewhere, will be keen to make an impact.
Harry Ashfield and Max Purvis are among three academy graduates with the chance to show what they can do in the coming weeks and captain James McClean has sent a strong message to his Wrexham squad.
James McClean says Wrexham squad are not on ‘holiday’ during pre-season tour of Australia
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of the Red Dragons’ clash with Melbourne Victory, McClean has warned that the squad are ‘not on holiday’ as they arrive in Australia.
McClean stated: “We’re not here on a holiday. It’s great to come to Australia and to see new things and new experiences but we’re here to work and it’s [the Championship] the toughest challenge yet by far and that goes without saying.
“We want to be going into the season in the best shape possible going into the new season. The lads have come back fit.
“During pre-season we implement and put into place what we want to achieve this season. It’s good preparation.”
McClean can break a Wrexham record this season by becoming the club’s all-time leading assist maker, he needs just five more to overtake Dean Keates on 23.
The Wrexham captain has come back to pre-season in great shape and will be setting the example to the rest of his teammates ahead of the Championship challenge.
What will Phil Parkinson be looking to implement in pre-season
There are a number of things that Parkinson will be looking to use the time in Australia to develop but the main take-away will be getting players vital minutes ahead of the new season.
Wrexham’s new signing Ryan Hardie will be keen to develop partnerships with the likes of Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez, while getting used to Parkinson’s style of play.
It will also be an opportunity for Parkinson to assess how players who didn’t feature last season have returned and whether there is a future for them at the Racecourse Ground.
George Evans and Jacob Mendy are among those who have travelled but had limited game time during the club’s League One promotion campaign.