With three 30 minute sessions taking place at Colliers Park, Little was able to view every fully fit member of his first team squad including the three trialists – Brent Sancho, David Ogilby and Drew Fahey during the 1-0 defeat.

Only Shaun Whalley (muscle strain), Levi Mackin (muscle strain) and Conall Murtagh (virus) missed the session played out in continuous rain and poor weather conditions.

"We got what we wanted from the session, declared Little. "There were three 30 minutes and this meant we could field three completely different sides in each.

"It was the first step to competitive action and the first step to the opening game of the season against Stevenage. The fitness levels of the players were tested and some were left wanting more which is exactly what we wanted.

"Each player played for at least 30 minutes while some played 60. The idea was to get them blowing again and in a competitive environment.

"Nothing went wrong, there were no injuries and we are on schedule for Saturday and Wolves. It was a good early chance to see people playing in different systems and with different individuals and we are reasonably happy.

"As I said it was the first step to being match-ready and the idea was to leave the players wanting more, people saying 'I wanted another 30 minutes' or 'I wanted to play for longer'."

On the subject of the three trialists, Little remained open minded about their stay at The Racecourse Ground.

"There are things we have looked at regarding the three of them, admitted Little. "We won't change our schedule for them and in that respect it is pleasing. The session gives us a good chance to see them play in certain systems and we have noticed things that we will have a chat about.

"They have done everything that the other lads have done and that is how it should be, they are here to try and win a place at the club and are keen to do anything they can.

Welsh under 21 defender Mike Williams admitted he was happy to be back in some form of competitive action yesterday despite the conditions.

"It was a good run out," said Williams. "The gaffer got a chance to try out different positions and formations in a behind-closed-doors match and it was good to see the new players in match action.

"The session did exactly what it was designed to do, it left us wanting more and although I got the last 30 minutes I wanted more.

"The chance to play another team, however serious, was great and gave both the players and the gaffer things to think about."

Williams spoke about the level of competition at the club, especially in the centre back position where there are already five players competing for two spots.

"There seems to be a long list of central defenders at the club with me, Steve, Pej, Gaz Evans and Nat as well as the two lads in on trial," he added.

"It is a great situation for the club and the gaffer as he can have a close look at a number of variations and everyone is keen to impress and work hard.

"I obviously want to push on this season and prove I can play week in, week out at the club and that means impressing from the start of pre-season.

"We have a tough start to the Blue Square campaign and every single player will be wanting to play in the opening four matches and impress against the best the league has to offer."

With Wales U21s due to play Romania on August 20 and Wrexham facing Oxford United the day after, Williams is all too aware that it could mean missing a crucial part of the opening fixtures.

"If I am playing for Wales then it is unlikely I will be able to play for Wrexham the day after," he said.

"It would be difficult to take if I was in the team and playing from the start of the season. I would miss the match with Oxford if selected for Wales and lose my place in the side.

"My ambition this season is to make the centre back position my own and that means working hard from the beginning of pre-season, making sure I am fit and ready to impress during the warm up matches."

These were the teams that Wrexham put out at Colliers' yesterday.

Team One: Ward, Spender, Taylor, Gareth Evans, Steve Evans, Kearney, Aiston, Fleming, Louis, Marc Williams, Baynes.

Team Two: Anthony Williams, Critchell, Tremarco, Sancho, Ogilby, Spann, Aiston, Fleming, Simon Brown, Proctor, Fahey.

Team Three: Maxwell, Pejic, Marriot, Mike Williams, Nat Brown, Crtichell, Taylor, Spann, Marc Williams, Fahey, Baynes.

Ask Brian

If you have a question for Brian Little email it to digitalnews@nwn.co.uk and we'll ask as many as we can during our next video interview with the Reds boss this Thursday.