Wrexham will kick off their pre-season games with a trip to Hanley Town on Saturday and there are plenty of things to look out for.
The start of the 2024/25 League One campaign is now less than a month away with Wrexham kicking off their return to the third tier at home to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, August 10th.
For supporters, excitement is building after not playing at this level for 19 years and Phil Parkinson has heightened that feeling in the transfer window.
Three new players have arrived through the door, including Arthur Okonkwo, Lewis Brunt and George Dobson, who all add much-needed competition in key areas.
Admittedly, there is still plenty of work to be done ahead of the season starting and the small matter of a pre-season touring the United States/Canada.
Wrexham kick off their Wrex Coast tour with a fixture against Premier League side Bournemouth on Friday 19th July, but first, it’s a trip to non-league side Hanley Town on Saturday.
Here are three things to look out for ahead of Wrexham’s pre-season fixtures…
How Phil Parkinson lines up his Wrexham defence
Parkinson captured Brunt on a permanent deal from Premier League side Leicester City.
Last season, a trio of Max Cleworth, Eoghan O’Connell and Tom O’Connor were predominantly used during the promotion run-in, while the addition of Brunt has now given Parkinson something to think about.
The 23-year-old flourished on loan at Mansfield Town last term, a side Wrexham went up with, and the Englishman has likely been offered the assurances of playing regular football.
Parkinson says he will field a close to full-strength starting XI against Hanley, so it will be interesting to see who starts in the back three.
Who replaces Paul Mullin at striker for Wrexham
Paul Mullin recovering from his latest surgery opens the door for another player to start up top.
Parkinson revealed that the 29-year-old would only miss the opening three games of the season at most, so while that is good news for Wrexham fans, it will be intriguing to see who he starts in his place.
One of Steven Fletcher and Ollie Palmer usually partnered with Mullin last term but they are unlikely to play together, and that could give Jack Marriott a chance to start.
Marriott’s move from Fleetwood Town in January hasn’t gone as planned due to the form of Mullin, starting just two games.
However, an opportunity to recapture his goal-scoring heroics, a previous Golden Boot winner with Peterborough, is a chance he must grasp with open arms.
A fourth new signing for Wrexham
Ahead of their clash against Hanley on Saturday, Parkinson hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a fourth signing being made to his squad.
The Wrexham boss has been asked about whether any new players could be added to his squad before the pre-season truly commences.
Parkinson offered a five-word verdict to that question, saying: “I wouldn’t rule it out.”
That will offer supporters hope of someone else arriving at the Racecourse Ground this weekend, so keep an eye out on who that may be.