FORGOTTEN-MAN Leo Smith is looking forward to a fresh start under new manager Sam Ricketts following a “very frustrating” season.

The 19-year-old midfielder made the breakthrough during the 2016-17 campaign and after signing his first professional contract, he scooped the Young Player of the Year award.

But despite enjoying a productive pre-season, Smith only made seven league appearances this term, the last of which came as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient on October 28.

Opportunities were limited under Dean Keates and Andy Davies, who finished the season as manager, but former Wales international Ricketts has been appointed new Reds boss and Smith hopes to feature more regularly under the rookie manager.

“I played 20-odd games the season before but only played six or seven times this season which is very frustrating,” said Smith, who has one year left on his contract at The Racecourse.

“I am not one who is going to complain; if you are not in the team you get on with it and wait patiently.

“This year has made me want to start straight back, show what I can do and prove people wrong.

“It is a fresh start. I just hope I get more chances.

“I will make sure I am fitter and sharper in pre-season so I am at the top of my game.

“It is a massive season for me. I just want to start as I did last pre-season and hopefully I get more of a chance in the league.”

Smith, who last appeared in the first team when Wrexham were knocked out of the FA Trophy by Harrogate Town in December, was pushed further down the pecking order following the additions of Nicky Deverdics and Jonathan Franks after the turn of the year.

But with Wrexham’s promotion challenge faltering during the run-in, Smith felt he deserved a chance to show what he could do.

“I was flying in pre-season and just waited for my chance when the season started,” said Smith. “When I played I felt I did okay. I just did my best in training to hopefully show what I could do in games.

“I just needed a chance. I understood it to some point why I was not playing. The team was doing well and even when you are not playing you want the team to do well.

“But towards the end of the season, watching games we were missing spark and creativity, and I just felt I could give that.

“The team and formation could have been changed a bit, other teams were sussing us out and I could have been on the bench to come on and maybe score or create to change the game.”

Despite being a fringe player, Smith still believes his game has come on this season and he looking forward to working under Ricketts.

“Ability-wise I think I have improved this season,” added Smith. “I feel fitter and sharper, and more confident in training.

“I scored goals every day in training and created chances.

“This season I think the formation suited me rather than playing in the diamond the season before.

“I did well playing on the left and cutting inside in pre-season and my confidence was high at the start of the season.

“When you speak to some players they didn’t really want to play on the left but I want to play the left midfield role cutting inside.

“The new manager will have his own way to play but he said he wants to play attacking football and that will suit me.”