CONNELL RAWLINSON is determined to help Notts County complete their National League checklist with victory over hometown club Wrexham.

The 27-year-old, born in Wrexham but raised in Connah’s Quay, was at the heart of the Magpies defence as County recorded a 2-0 success at Harrogate on Tuesday night.

That was County’s first clean sheet and maiden win at the fourth attempt since relegation from the Football League, and having wrapped up three points on the road, Rawlinson wants to taste victory at Meadow Lane.

“It was a massive three points which sets us up nicely for Sunday,” said Rawlinson, who spent eight years at The New Saints. “At the start of the season you want to get that first clean sheet and then you want that first home win and first away win.

“We’ve managed to tick two of those three off on Tuesday, so now we are concentrating on getting that first home win on the board.”

And the former Chester City youngster, believes beating his hometown club on Sunday afternoon would put down a marker. Rawlinson expects Wrexham to be challenging with County at the top end of the National League.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise to see both teams up challenging for promotion,” said Rawlinson. “They are a big team in the division, and we are a big team, even if we are something of an unknown quantity at the moment.

“It will be a great occasion. This is the type of game you want to be involved in because they will bring a lot of fans, and we are always well supported, so there could be a big crowd there on Sunday.”

Rawlinson has only been at Meadow Lane for 11 days, arriving after the 1-0 defeat to Eastleigh as Neal Ardley continues to shape his squad after a turbulent summer.

County were placed under a transfer embargo, that was only lifted after Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz came in as the club’s new owners.

Rawlinson insists that swapping League Two football with Port Vale for life in the National League at County was never a problem.

“Port Vale wanted me to stay, but I felt like I needed a fresh start,” said Rawlinson. “And the stature of this club made the move an easy one. Notts County have a great history and it’s great to be playing in-front of 5, 6 or 7,000 fans.

“I will have only been here two weeks by the time we play Wrexham, but that’s four games, so we knew we needed to hit the ground running and we have a good squad of players.

“The manager has brought in some good new signings and kept a group of last season’s squad. There’s a good blend of youth and experience.”

The chance to play under Ardley was also an opportunity Rawlinson couldn’t pass up after speaking with the former Wimbledon midfielder.

“He’s a top bloke,” said Rawlinson. “You want to play for him and he’s 100 per cent behind us. You’d run through a brick wall for him.”

And Ardley, left, is equally impressed with Rawlinson.

“People that have played and worked with Connell have given us glowing feedback about his character and mentality,” he said. “We felt at this stage he would be the perfect sort of player to come in. He’s got a voice, experience, he’s very good in the air and is intelligent.”