BRYAN HUGHES is relishing seeing his Wrexham side pit their wits against Championship opponents Stoke City in tonight's pre-season clash at The Racecourse (7pm).

Potters boss Nathan Jones is bringing his first-team squad so Reds fans can expect to see the likes of Wales internationals Joe Allen and Sam Vose, and former Manchester United man Nick Powell, in action during the club's first home friendly.

Hughes is expecting a tricky test for Wrexham's fifth pre-season outing but one that he is looking forward to.

"I was planning on the Fleetwood game being our first one here but obviously the pitch wasn't quite ready," said Hughes.

"It is going to be Stoke now and a real tough test for us. They have got quality running right the way through their team.

"They are bringing the first team over and it is littered with Premier League players; Stoke were a Premier League club not so long ago.

"Now they find themselves in the Championship and they have got aspirations of getting back up there so it is going to be a real tough test, no danger about that.

"It is just another building process for us in our pre-season preparations and it should be an entertaining game for the fans.

"What I am looking for from my team is to try and build on what we are trying to do.

"Looking at different patterns of play that we have been working on in a different system, and see if we can keep getting stronger at that."

Hughes has used a 3-4-3 system for Wrexham's last two friendlies against Portuguese side Portimonense and Telford United, and he is feels it has worked well.

"I think it is a formation that our personnel suits," said Hughes.

"If we do adapt that system for whatever game, at least we have got a little bit of knowhow of how to deal with it now because we have faced two opposition with totally different types of teams.

"Both teams caused us problems which is what I wanted really."