A POTENTIAL new signing was an interested on-looker as Wrexham kicked-off their pre-season programme with a 3-1 victory against Lex XI last night.

Scott Boden watched on from the sidelines at Stansty Park.

Boden has left Inverness Caledonian Thistle and the much travelled 27-year-old, who has also played for the likes of Chesterfield, Macclesfield, Halifax Town and Newport County, is set to complete his move to The Racecourse today.

“All being well it will be all be done and dusted and be announced officially today,” said Keates. “It is just a matter of getting some paperwork signed.”

Keates, who is also set to announce a loan signing in the next 48 hours, used 21 players in the opening friendly against Lex, who were promoted to the Welsh National League Premier Division last season, with only goalkeeper Chris Dunn playing 90 minutes.

Although fellow keeper Christian Dibble didn’t feature, the other eight summer signings all got 45 minute run-outs while Keates also used youth team players and three trialists.

Wrexham, captained by Shaun Pearson, were on top from the start and Chris Holroyd wasted a good opportunity before the Reds took the lead in the 10th minute. Marcus Kelly made a superb run into the area, his pull-back was touched on by scholar Nial Freeman and Paul Rutherford converted.

Holroyd had two good chances but Wrexham went 2-0 ahead after Freeman raced onto Kelly’s throughball, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home.

But Lex pulled a goal back just before the break, Phil Gidley getting the better of Olly Marx before firing past Dunn.

Keates rang the changes for the second half and a French striker, who has returned to Wrexham on trial after impressing while training with the Reds last season, had a shot cleared off the line.

But Wrexham made it 3-1 from the resulting corner, Leo Smith’s powerful deflected shot finding the top corner of the net.

The un-named French striker, eager to impress, saw another effort hit the post after meeting Jack Mackreth’s cross, and scholar Doug Tharme had a stunning 25-yard drive tipped over the bar.

Wrexham failed to add to their tally but it was a comfortable success in front of a good crowd.

Keates says he will continue to run the rule over the French trialist.

“He did well for us last season and we decided to bring him back,” said Keates. “I had initially arranged not to have him in until we got back from Portugal but he wanted to come over  from day one..

“We is looking fit and he has done okay but it is still early days. We have got another two weeks to have a look at him.

“He played last night, he will play a part at Druids on Friday and he will come to Portugal and play out there.”