SAM RICKETTS insists he has got options when it comes to naming his assistant manager.

Ricketts took over as Reds boss last month but although first team coach Carl Darlington has signed a new deal, the former Wales international is yet to appoint his right-hand man.

Wrexham reported back for pre-season training yesterday and Ricketts, who has taken his first managerial role at The Racecourse, is also looking to add a goalkeeper coach to his backroom staff before the 2018-19 campaign kicks off.

"I have got a couple of options for my assistant if I am honest with you, it is just trying to get the right one and make sure it is right for them and right for the club as well," said Ricketts.

"Nothing will be happening imminently but we are not a million miles away with that and some other staff will be coming in.

"Like with players, I want to get the right people.

"Carl will be in for the rest of the week so we have got plenty of coaching staff and plenty of people around."

Three trialists are training with Wrexham and are set to feature in Friday's opening friendly against Lex XI at Stansty Park while winger Jack Mackreth, one of seven players released last month, has returned to work on his fitness.

"A few lads have come in either to get fit or for us to look at," said Ricketts.

"They will be in all week building up to the game with Lex.

"We ended up with three trialists and Jack was in to gain some fitness and to express himself.

"Good numbers, I don't want too many trialists and I don't want too big a squad."

Ricketts put the players through their paces for the first time at a sun-basked Nine Acre and says they have come back in good shape.

"I have done pre-season when it is warm and pre-season when it is lashing down," said Ricketts. "Today was probably one of the hottest and it is only going to get hotter this week and possibly next week as well.

"Football has changed a little bit, when I started out you were running and didn't really see the ball for the first two weeks.

"Those days have gone, you try and get the work in with the ball.

"You are not trying to kill them in the first day but they covered a good bit of ground, a really good step for the first day."

Ricketts added: "You gradually want to pick up fitness during pre-season, not try and hammer it all in the first two weeks and then ease off.

"The idea is to pick it up gradually to reduce injuries as much as anything.

"The lads look in good shape from the summer, they have not come back overweight. They have come back with a reasonable level of fitness."