SAM RICKETTS insists everyone in his squad will have a part to play this season but he wants players to prove they deserve to be in the team for the opening game of the National League season.

Wrexham, who complete their pre-season programme against Forest Green at The Racecourse tomorrow, begin an 11th campaign at this level away at Dover Athletic next Saturday and the Reds boss says places are still up for grabs.

"Players want to be on that teamsheet on the first day of the season," said Ricketts. "No-one wants to sit on the bench.

"It is a squad game now, it is not just an 11, and it is a case of someone may play on a Saturday but not the Tuesday, and vice-versa.

"But places are up for grabs and players need to work hard to perform to maintain their place."

Ricketts, with 16 players currently signed up, wants up to four new signings to provide competition for places.

"We will only have a squad of limited numbers, 18, 19, 20 at a push," said Ricketts. "The players will always be involved.

"I don't like a squad where there are five or six players left out so all the players will play this season, whether it is through injury, suspension or form.

"Players will ideally keep pushing each other, they will know that if they don't perform there is someone breathing down their necks ready to come and play.

"You want competition for places but you also want the feeling within the squad that everyone is part of it."

Captain Shaun Pearson, midfielder Nicky Deverdics and on-loan striker Rekeil Pyke missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Macclesfield but Ricketts says they are closing in on a return.

"Nothing too bad, just waiting to make sure that when they are back, they are back for good," said Ricketts.

"We will be looking at the back end of this week, early next week, for a few to come back training.

"Ideally, within the next week or two they should all be back in."

Ricketts is not overly concerned that the trio have missed a few of Wrexham's friendlies.

"Nicky and Shaun have done the vast majority of pre-season so they have got a base of it, Rekeil has done a fair amount as well," added Ricketts.

"The fitness will come quite quickly, certain positions need it more than others but it is just a rhythm of games more than anything."