DEAN KEATES has revealed he wants Wrexham’s pre-season up and running in less than two week’s time.

The 2020-21 National League campaign is scheduled to kick off on Saturday October 3, with Keates hoping to welcome his players back for training ahead of the club’s 13th season in the fifth tier on August 17.

“I am looking to start our pre-season preparation on August 17,” said Keates, who confirmed that former Reds boss Andy Morrell will be bringing his Hednesford side to The Racecourse.

“We had the framework in place anyway and things in the pipeline. All we have done is changed the dates of what we are going to do and changed the dates of the games.

“We have got a double header with Telford and we will also play Southport and Kidderminster while Mozza is going to bring Hednesford up and we are going to play them at our place.

“We will also have a game with Cefn Druids and I have just got one spare date. I am just waiting on one first team to get back to me.”

All Wrexham’s pre-season friendlies will be played behind closed doors while Keates will be targeting a number of new signings before the big kick-off.

Only seven players - Shaun Pearson, Luke Young, Bobby Grant, Rob Lainton, Devonte Redmond, Jay Harris and Daniel Jarvis - are under contract at The Racecourse although Keates is keen on keeping Mark Carrington, Paul Rutherford, Davis Keillor-Dunn and Christian Dibble.