Wrexham open the Championship season with a trip to Southampton and could yet unleash a former Saints star.
Wrexham fans lived through years of National League fixture releases, so we can understand any supporter feeling a little overawed on Thursday.
The Championship fixture release saw Wrexham involved after three straight promotions under Phil Parkinson, and it’s a testing start.
Wrexham travel to take on Southampton on the opening weekend of the season, as Parkinson returns to the south coast.
Parkinson came through the Southampton youth ranks as a player and will now devise a plan to defeat the Saints on the opening day.
Wrexham then take on West Bromwich Albion in the first home game of the season, with former Premier League clubs dotted throughout the Championship.
Wrexham could yet unleash Danny Ings against Southampton
Parkinson won’t look too far ahead to the game against West Brom and other big hitters in the Championship, with his focus on Southampton once pre-season is done.
A return to Southampton will be an emotional one for Parkinson, and he could yet have a former Saints striker leading his attack.
Wrexham are interested in signing Danny Ings this summer, with the striker available on a free transfer after leaving West Ham United.
Watford are also interested in Ings, with the striker weighing up his options as he plots his next move.
If Wrexham can win the race, Ings could make his league debut against Southampton – the club where he starred in his prime years.
Ings hails from Winchester and spent time in the Southampton ranks as a youngster, before coming through with Bournemouth.
Southampton signed Ings on loan from Liverpool in 2018, before turning the move permanent after seven goals in 24 Premier League games.
Ings bagged 34 goals in two seasons as a permanent Southampton player, earning himself a big move to Aston Villa in 2021.
Ings proved to be a great signing for the Saints, and he will be looking to rediscover that goalscoring touch with his next move.
Wrexham will hope to win Ings’ signature, and a deal would see him given the chance to take Southampton down on the opening day.
Stuart Armstrong also in the mix for Wrexham
Ings may not even be the only former Southampton man heading to the STōK Cae Ras this summer.
Reports from The Sun suggest Wrexham are also keen on Stuart Armstrong, who is leaving Sheffield Wednesday at the end of his contract this summer.
The Scot joined Southampton in 2018 and racked up more than 200 appearances for the Saints.
Ings and Armstrong formed a strong connection at Southampton, which is something Parkinson may fancy bringing to Wrexham.
Southampton will be all too aware of the quality both Ings and Armstrong possess, and would certainly be wary of their potential opening-day impact if they join Wrexham this summer.