Wrexham are set to kick off their pre-season with a trip to Stoke-on-Trent to face Hanley Town.
Excitement is building amongst the Wrexham fan base as the 2024/25 League One season is rapidly approaching.
With pre-season set to kick off tomorrow, Phil Parkinson will be keen to assess some of his options ahead of the league campaign.
Wrexham were originally planning to play a behind-closed-doors friendly, but this fixture allows fans to see the squad in their first friendly of the 24/25 season.
Tomorrow’s game could offer fans the opportunity to see various new faces play in a Wrexham shirt.
New signings Arthur Okonkwo, Lewis Brunt, and George Dobson are all expected to be in the pre-season squad.
The Red Dragons boss has previously revealed he planned to play a strong XI in this fixture before they jet off to the US and Canada. On their overseas tour, they will face Premier League sides AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea.
Wrexham also face the Vancouver Whitecaps in their trip to Ryan Reynolds’s home country Canada.
Predicted Wrexham XI vs Hanley Town
Goalkeeper
Wrexham fans will be hoping to see former Arsenal goalkeeper Okonkwo start his first game since permanently signing at the Racecourse. The 22-year-old impressed on loan last campaign and has committed his future to the club with a three-year deal.
Defence
Summer signing Brunt could feature in the back three. Other options include Max Cleworth, Eoghan O’Connell, Will Boyle, and Tom O’Connor. The manager may start with a mix of experience with a back three of O’Connell, Boyle, and Brunt.
In the wing-back positions, Parkinson will likely go for the veteran James McClean who has shown incredible fitness in his return to pre-season training. The former Sunderland coach could also favour Ryan Barnett over Luke Bolton on the right wing.
Midfield
The Wrexham boss has hinted that it will likely be a strong XI meaning the fanbase could see summer signing Dobson make his Wrexham debut in midfield, with Andy Cannon and Elliot Lee likely to provide the attacking threat in midfield.
Attack
In attack, Parkinson is without key man Paul Mullin who is recovering from surgery after his latest injury. The former Bradford City coach is likely to pair Ollie Palmer with Jack Marriott to continue the profile of a target man and a fast strike partner to run through the channels.
Predicted Wrexham XI:
Okonkwo
Barnett
O’Connell
Boyle
Brunt
McClean
Dobson
Cannon
Lee
Palmer
Marriott