Wrexham kick-off the campaign - their first outside the Football League for 87 years - against much fancied Stevenage Borough at The Racecourse on Saturday.

Little knows Stevenage will be tough opponents and certainly won't under-estimate them but he is fully aware that a positive result would be the ideal way to kick-off the season after relegation last term.

"It is getting ever closer and Saturday is a big day," said Little today. "I am sure everyone is aware of the importance of the game and we are looking forward to it.

"Although it might be a funny thing to say, we have got to make sure everyone is in the right frame of mind. Players can be over keen, which can lead to anxiety on the side.

"To win the game would be great. Stevenage are the most fancied side, and it will be a great test and judge of how we will do. It is very important to get off to a good home start.

"Winning is important, home or away. No-one in any division wants to start with a poor result, least of all ourselves after a relegation.

"From our point of view, it would be great to get a result based on the fact it is Stevenage, they are established and one of the top teams."

But although Little wants to get that first win on the board as soon as possible, he believes Wrexham will soon become familiar with the division in a busy first month which will see the Reds play six games in August.

"The first game won't determine where we will finish," said Little. "Even though teams who lose will only be three points behind, you don't want to wait too long before we win.

"We have to establish where we are at and what the league holds for us in the first few weeks.

"That will be answered in a short amount of time based on the amount of games coming up. We will learn a lot in August."

Wrexham go into the new campaign on the back of an excellent pre-season that has seen the Reds lose just once is six outings, 2-1 against The New Saints, and they were the only goals conceded. And with just three days until the big kick-off, Little is pleased with Wrexham's build-up.

"We have been doing set-piece work and just tidying up on a few things yesterday," said Little.

"We are making sure bits and bobs and ready for the weekend.

"I am pretty happy with things up to now. No-one can ever say preparation has been perfect, it does not go that way, and we have had the odd injury.

"But we are ready to play now."

Wrexham won 2-1 yesterday against Hereford United in a behind closed doors friendly at Colliers Park thanks to two goals from Marc Williams.

Squad members not involved in Saturday's final friendly win at Stafford Rangers were given a run-out along with some players who made
substitute appearances at Marston Road, and trialist striker Adam Smith.
And Little stressed the importance of players getting games under their belts in readiness for first team action.

"Anything can happen in the first month with so many games," added Little.

"Players have to be ready, hence the friendly against Hereford for the lads who have not been involved.

"But I would think a couple of the younger players will go out on loan."

Just two players, centre-back Steve Evans and left-sided Neil Taylor, are nursing knocks ahead of the visit of Stevenage.

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.