DEAN KEATES insists the potential takeover has not placed extra pressure on Wrexham to challenge for promotion this season - because expectation levels are already high at The Racecourse.

The Reds begin a 13th campaign in non-league with a home game against Boreham Wood tomorrow.

Supporters will be optimistic about Wrexham’s chance this season after Keates revamped the squad over the summer.

But excitement is growing off the pitch too following the announcement that Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are interested in taking over the club.

Regardless of the potential takeover, Keates knows there is pressure to succeed and atone for last season’s battle against relegation.

“There’s always pressure at this football club regardless of the potential takeover,” said Keates.

“There is an expectation at the football club.

“It was nowhere near that expectation level last season, we have to make sure them wrongs are put right this season and make sure we get this club put back.

“Are people going to look at us different? I would imagine so if this takeover happens but it has not happened at the moment.

“We will just deal with the job in hand so it is over to the players now to win football matches.

“Hopefully we can start the new campaign on the right foot and get three points which will put us in a good position to go down to Solihull on Tuesday.”

Keates has completed 11 new signings and he hopes the changes have the desired effect.

“It has given a level of optimism to the fans,” said Keates.

“There is fresh impetus, players have come in that want to develop and go forward for their own careers, and that coincides with us wanting to take the football club forward.

“For me it is the perfect marriage.”

Keates has welcomed the competition for places and with the games coming thick and fast due to the delayed start to the season, the Reds boss is ready to utilise his squad.

"We have got competition for places and the players know that now," said Keates.

"It is going to be a quick turnover from one game to another with very short recovery time, I believe we have got two players for every single position and at that given time, anybody can go and play.

"Players have to be bang at it to give themselves the opportunity to play the next game."

Plans to allow football fans to return to stadiums have been put on hold.

But whether or not his side play in front of a crowd, Keates wants to make The Racecourse a fortress this season and that means starting with three points against Boreham Wood.

“Where we want to be at the end of the season, we have to make sure we win our home games,” said Keates.

“That is with or without fans, you have to make your own advantage count.

“The fans make a massive difference especially at Wrexham, they have become a 12th man over the years. We have to just deal with it and try and pick up maximum points whenever we are at The Racecourse until we get the fans back in, and they can make the difference then.”