The 22-year-old central midfielder has impressed manager Brian Little during pre-season and, based on the Wrexham's line-up in the last two friendlies, is set to start the opening clash of the campaign against Stevenage Borough at The Racecourse on Saturday.

Pleased with how the build-up has gone, Mackin admits it would be a huge boost starting the season in the Wrexham team.

"I am happy with the way I have performed myself and I feel really good," said Mackin today.

"I can't complain, things have gone okay for me.

"My confidence is high and I am delighted the gaffer has put me in the side in pre-season.

"It will definitely be a boost if I get in the side on Saturday, that is what you work hard for and what I want.

"If you are in the side for the first game you can be really happy, and it shows that the gaffer has got faith in me. It would mean a lot.

"I've come up through the ranks and I want to start and be a regular."

Mackin, a product of the club's youth system, made his first team debut for the Reds at the end of the 2003-04 campaign.

But the former Wales under 21 international has found opportunities limited since then and he spent a loan period at Droylsden last term before returning to The Racecourse to start the final four games, scoring his first Reds' goal at Lincoln on the final day.

And Mackin, out of contract next summer, is hoping to become more of a permanent fixture in the team and earn a new contract.

"I want to be a regular, and I had a good run in the side at the end of last season," said Mackin.

"I said I did not want last season to end after coming back.

"Over the last couple of years I have had bits but not played week in, week out. But over the summer I thought, 'just get fit and try and do as well as I can'.

"The aim is to play as much as I can and play well.

"It is a big year for me and I want to make it a good year.

"I will be trying to get another contract but I have to play well to do that."

Mackin acknowledged that to enjoy a run in the side he has to be a consistent performer, and he hopes to reproduce the form shown in pre-season.

"If I get in the side, I hope to do as well as I can, as I have in friendlies," said Mackin.

"If I feature I want to play well, have a good start and keep it going.

These are the games that matter, the big ones.

"Performing well in these means there is a chance you will stay in the side.

"Once you are in you have to perform or the gaffer will change it."

Mackin has been paired alongside summer signing Tom Kearney in Wrexham's last two friendlies which resulted in victories at Colwyn Bay (2-0) and Stafford Rangers (6-0).

And Mackin believes the pair have struck up a good understanding.

"Tom is a good player and great to work with," said Mackin.

"He is experienced and we have helped each other along.

"I think we have played well together. It was nice for me to have a hand in a goal at Colwyn Bay. Creating chances is part of your job and doing that shows you're doing okay."

Wrexham go into their first Blue Square Premier campaign in good heart following a successful pre-season which resulted in just one defeat against The New Saints, the only friendly where goals have been leaked.

And Mackin believes Wrexham can build on the solid defensive displays which also saw the Reds fail to concede once in three outings against Football League opponents.

"It is good to have won a few matches in pre-season and that gives us confidence going into Saturday," added Mackin.

"It is a good bunch here and we all want to get up and running.

"In friendlies, we have looked solid at the back and that gives us a platform, and a chance of doing well.

"Hopefully we get a good start and that will build up confidence. The first couple of weeks are important."

- A minute's silence for the late Grays midfielder Ernie Cooksey will be held before all Blue Square Premier games on Saturday.

Cooksey was only 28 when died from cancer last month. His last game in the Football League was at The Racecourse when he played for Boston in the final game of the 2006/07 season.

- Brian Little will be the guest at tonight's Shropshire Reds' meeting at The Lion Quays near Oswestry (7.30pm).

Ask Brian

If you have a question for Brian Little email it to digitalnews@nwn.co.uk and we'll ask as many as we can during our next video interview with the Reds boss this Thursday.