JORDAN PONTICELLI wants to put an injury-wretched season behind him with the striker vowing to come back “fitter and stronger” when Wrexham head into a 14th campaign in non-league.

The 22-year-old completed a permanent move to The Racecourse last summer after deciding to leave Coventry City but was plagued by hamstring problems throughout 2020-21.

After returning to full fitness for the run-in, Ponticelli ended the season in good form as he scored three times in four appearances.

His last goal came on the final day at Dagenham but Wrexham missed out on the play-offs after drawing 1-1 and Ponticelli is looking forward to hitting the ground running after returning for pre-season training this week.

And a new season means another promotion challenge but with a different outcome.

“I’m just looking ahead to next season,” said Ponticelli, pictured celebrating his goal against King’s Lynn. “I feel great now.

“I had an injury-ridden season but want to get that out of the way and come back fitter and stronger next season.

“Hopefully we don’t have any complications this time next year whether we are in the play-offs or going up.

“We want to try and cement that chance a lot earlier.”

Wrexham’s destiny lay in their own hands heading into the clash with Dagenham but the Reds failed to get the win they needed to guarantee a top-seven finish.

Ponticelli, who grabbed a 90th minute equaliser, was disappointed to miss out on the play-offs after Wrexham put themselves in the promotion picture following a strong second half of the season.

“When I scored we had a chance but it means nothing,” said Ponticelli.

“I was not bothered about scoring, I just wanted to be in the play-offs and that didn’t happen. It was not a good day at the office for us.

“It is always good to score as a striker but when it means nothing for the club then it is pointless.

“It was heartbreaking, so disappointing, especially when we worked so hard to get to a point where we had the chance to go up.”