DENNIS LAWRENCE is looking forward to leading Trinidad and Tobago into battle at a place close to his heart.
The 44-year-old is head coach of the Soca Warriors who face Ryan Giggs' Wales in an international friendly at The Racecourse tomorrow night.
Lawrence will be on familiar territory as the former centre-back played for Wrexham between 2001 and 2005, helping the Reds clinch promotion and the Football League Trophy during his time with the Reds, and he still has a house in the town.
Having also been linked with the vacant manager's job when Sam Ricketts left to take charge of Shrewsbury Town in December - the Trinidad and Tobago FA would not allow Lawrence to speak with the club - it is no surprise that he views Wrexham as a second home.
"We are going to be based in Chester, which is literally 15 minutes outside of Wrexham," said Lawrence.
"I think one of the benefits for us is that Wrexham is my second home so I know the place inside out.
"We managed to get a good location that we are within touching distance of everything.
"I am excited about taking the boys into what I see as my second home.
"Trinidad and Tobago will always be my home but Wrexham and that football club has been a remarkable place for me in my development as a footballer and as a coach."
Lawrence, who scored the goal that clinched Trinidad and Tobago's place at the 2006 World Cup where he played in all three group games, hopes his side can give a good account of themselves against the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, two of the star names in the Wales squad.
"I am excited for the boys and I am looking forward to the trip," said Lawrence.
"At the same time, you have got a nervous anxiety. You just want game-day to come and hopefully the boys go out and represent us well and we get a positive result.
"We need to stay focussed and understand what this is all about. This is part preparation for the Gold Cup because the end result is the Gold Cup and this is the next step.
"We have also got the June friendlies coming up, but right now we are into the Wales game.
"I would like to say thanks to Wales for taking the opportunity to see T&T as formidable opposition in their preparation for their Euro qualifiers."
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