ALAN Bartlam is relishing the ‘great test’ revived Wrexham will provide for Vauxhall Motors in their first home friendly of the pre-season campaign.

Saturday’s Rivacre Park encounter will be the first time the sides have met in two years.

Wrexham were scheduled to visit Ellesmere Port last summer but had to pull out 48 hours before the clash after their unpaid players refused to play.

Thanks to Wrexham Supporters Trust, the Dragons managed to survive one of the most turbulent spells in the club’s history before going on to reach the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs for a second successive seasons.

Motors chairman Bartlam is delighted the North Wales outfit are back on their feet.

He said: “I am pleased to welcome Wrexham back to Rivacre Park for our annual friendly.

“This will be a great test for us considering Wrexham finished second in the league above us last season.”

Motors manager Carl Macauley has so far made three new signings in the shape of goalkeeper Zac Jones, defender Callum Henry and midfielder Michael Burns.

Bartlam said: “I have no doubt Carl Macauley has been working his magic once again with astute signings, some of which we are likely to see in action in our colours for the first time against Wrexham.

“While we are always going to face budget restraints due to the size of the club, Carl somehow unearths some really talented players who can more than hold their own at this standard of football.”

Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm.

Motors got their preparations for the Blue Square Bet North season under way with a trip to Gap Connah’s Quay last night, a match played after the Pioneer had gone to press.