NATHAN Fairhurst is determined to show former club Preston North End exactly what they are missing at The Racecourse tonight, (7.30pm).
The 20-year-old from Chorley spent nine years at Deepdale, but joined Wrexham shortly after Dean Saunders took over as managerHaving played 20 times, including 15 starts, Fairhurst was ready to join the club on a permanent basis despite Preston boss Alan Irvine offering him a new one-year deal.
Now Fairhurst wants to impress both his current and former employers by carving out a long and successful career in the professional game.
“There will be a few familiar faces at the game that’s for sure and I am looking forward to playing against some of my former team mates,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to it, I keep in touch with a few of the lads on a day to day basis and it will be nice to see them and hopefully get the better of them.
“It was difficult to leave Preston in the first place. I had to make the decision about whether to stay for another year or come here and play first team football.
“I made the choice to come here and play regularly and I am pleased to have done it really. It is a chance to push on and I can really dig deep to get myself a starting role on a regular basis.
“There is a lot more competition for places now with the gaffer signing a couple more midfielders, but as a midfielder you have to thrive on that.
“Competition will make you a better player and it is good to be pushed by other people. I want to show everybody who watches the match that I have what it takes.”
Fairhurst is expected to play some part in tonight’s friendly encounter, while Saunders is also hoping to finally have Liverpool goalkeeper Dean Bounzanis available to him for the clash with the Championship outfit.
Speaking about the teenage shot stopper, Saunders said: “Hopefully he will be here tonight, I am still waiting.
“They are just trying to tie up his contract at the club and once he has sorted that out he will be on his way over.”
Saunders also outlined his plans for this evening, admitting that now is the time for some of his first team squad to get 90 minutes under their belt.
“Some will play the full game, some won’t,” he said. “I might also have a look at other players throughout the game as well.
“Not many trialists will play because it is a big game for us really against Preston and attitudes have to be right.
“They are not where I want them to be fitness wise, we have had a number of hard days training and some of the players have not played a whole game yet.
“I am going to try and have a look at the whole thing, I might try playing in a different formation or I might look at one or two other things.”
One man who is expected to line-up against Wrexham is former England under-21 and Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver.
The 30-year-old has joined Irvine’s men on trial and will get the chance to impress with regular stopper Wayne Henderson currently out injured.
Supporters attending tonight’s friendly are reminded that the Eric Roberts Stand will be closed for the game and all remaining pre-season fixtures.
The club apologises to those supporters who particularly enjoy sitting behind the goal, but any pre-bought tickets for the remaining friendlies can be used in either the Mold Road or Yale stands.
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