DENIS SMITH is hoping to reap the benefits of another trip to Northern Ireland.

Wrexham boss Smith today flew to Belfast early this morning with his squad for a two-game tour that will see the Reds, who will be based in Newcastle, County Down, take on Dungannon tomorrow and meet Cliftonville on Tuesday evening.

Having benefitted from a similar tour last summer, Smith said it was a chance for his squad to step up their preparations for the League Two season which begins with a tough trip to Wycombe Wanderers on August 5.

“It was ideal last year and if it is anywhere as good, it will be great,” said Smith. “They will be competitive matches against different opposition to last year.

“We have a different hotel and training facilities which I have been told are excellent, and going away on a trip has worked very well for us in the past.

“This is where we work on patterns of play and the shape of the side. So far we have been doing a lot of fitness work with a couple of matches but we will now start developing a few things. We are starting to get down to the tactical side of things.

“It is also a chance for the new lads to get to know everyone. But three of the new signings are local and the other has still got a house here from his first spell at the club so they have had no problems settling in.”

Smith has been delighted with Wrexham’s first two friendlies where he took the opportunity to give the majority of his squad out a run-out in matches against Liverpool and Manchester City at The Racecourse, and experimented with different formations which he will continue to do in Ireland.

Following the Ireland trip, Wrexham conclude their programme of friendlies with a trip to League One outfit Port Vale a week tomorrow and Smith said it was important to play opponents of all standards, and not just face quality sides from the Premiership.

“We could not turn Liverpool and Manchester City down and they were good work-outs for us. All the players have had a run-out, have seen what they can do and I have also had a look at some trialists,” said Smith.

“But just playing against Premiership sides is not the right build-up as we won’t be coming up against that sort of opposition when the League Two season starts. They will possibly be more like what we will face in Northern Ireland and Port Vale next Saturday.

“I am pleased with the way things have gone so far and where we are going in regards to the team. Every game we play gives another little insight into what players can do and the matches in Northern Ireland will take us on further.

“The 4-4-2 system is in place but there are a variety of different ways of playing it and we could go back to 4-2-3-1 against Dungannon tomorrow.”

Smith included Trinidadian right-winger John Johnson, who has impressed since coming to the club on trial, in an 18-man squad for the trip.

Just injured duo Lee McEvilly and Lee Roche, and first year professionals Marc Williams and Jamie Reed, were the members of Smith’s first team squad that won’t be involved in Ireland.

New signing Steve Evans, who missed the City match on Wednesday because of a slight groin strain, did travel while Smith is not too worried about a tight achilles that has been troubling another centre-back, Shaun Pejic.

“It was nothing serious with Steve,” added Smith. “Steve was not back in training yesterday and might not play tomorrow but he’ll definitely be available Tuesday. And Steve needs to be with the squad to see what we are doing and working on.”

Wrexham squad for two-game tour of Northern Ireland: Ingham, Michael Jones, Spender, Valentine, Pejic, Steve Evans, Lawrence, Gareth Evans, Mike Williams, Johnson, Mark Jones, Ferguson, Danny Williams, Crowell, Mackin, Llewellyn, Done, Neil Roberts.