New recruit Will Forrester is ready to build on his first start in a Wanderers’ shirt as the Whites step up their preparations for the new season.
Forrester joined Wanderers from Port Vale as the club’s fifth signing of the summer after agreeing a three-year deal at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The central defender was eased into action as a second-half substitute in Wanderers’ opening pre-season friendly at Bamber Bridge last weekend.
And with Ricardo Almeida Santos then absent for Tuesday night’s trip to Curzon Ashton, Forrester started the 3-1 win at the Tameside Stadium and boosted his game time with a solid 75 minutes as Ian Evatt’s men hone their form and fitness.
“I’ve really enjoyed my first week here,” said the 22-year-old. “All the lads have welcomed me in and I’ve really enjoyed the training and the games I’ve been involved in.
“I’m looking forward to continuing the pre-season and look forward to the first game of the season.
“It was good to get playing. I feel we were a lot better than we were on Saturday, which is a step in the right direction and hopefully now we can build on that.
“You want to keep that winning mentality and I think now with the games we’ve got left we’ve got to keep building on the performances.”
Wanderers go to Chester FC on Saturday for the third of six public pre-season work-outs ahead of the big kick-off at home to Lincoln City on 5 August.
Forrester will be among those challenging for a place on the opening day with his arrival even more timely following George Johnston’s long-term injury absence and Eoin Toal’s on-going recovery from an ankle problem.
And the former Stoke City man is looking forward to another chance to bed in when Wanderers face another National League North side at their Swansway Chester Stadium.
“Every team is different. At Port Vale we played a different type of style, whereas here we like to play football at all times, which suits me down to the ground,” Forrester added.
“I’ve enjoyed getting on the ball and playing. Obviously, there’s a lot more to come from me and I’m excited to keep building on my minutes in pre-season and be fit and ready.
“Saturday's another good game and another good side to play against. It’s a decent little ground as well, so I think that will be a good one and hopefully again we can build on the performance from Tuesday and put another performance and win together.”