Wanderers return home for a first pre-season outing at the Toughsheet Community Stadium with an enticing friendly against top-flight Italian opposition.
Serie A side Fiorentina – beaten in the final of the European Conference League for the past two seasons – are based in the North-West for part of their preparations for the new campaign.
The twice former Italian champions follow their trip to Wanderers with a game against Preston North End on Saturday and Hull City next Tuesday night.
Raffaele Palladino, 40, is preparing for a first season as Head Coach of 'La Viola' after previously being in charge at Serie A rivals AC Monza.
Wanderers, meanwhile, face Championship opposition themselves next Tuesday in the shape of Stoke City before winding up their pre-season programme at Port Vale on Saturday-week.
Manager quotes
Wanderers' boss Ian Evatt: “It will be a great test. It's a brilliant opportunity for us all to learn and experience playing a top European team. We haven't had that yet, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we do.”
Team news
Wanderers avoided any fresh injury worries in their 4-0 win at Chorley on Tuesday night.
Fit-again defender Jack Iredale made his first appearance of pre-season as a second-half substitute at Victory Park and midfielder Josh Sheehan is also likely to feature against Fiorentina after being rested in mid-week due to international and club commitments over the summer.
Striker Dion Charles is edging closer to a return after resuming training and goalkeeper Luke Southwood is fit again but the Whites will still be missing a number of players through injury.
Fiorentina have named a 26-man touring party, which includes new signing and former Everton and Juventus striker Moise Kean.
Also joining the ranks is Croatian defender Marin Pongracic who made two appearances at the finals of Euro 2024.
However, Nicolas Gonzales, who helped Argentina retain the Copa America this summer, and former Manchester United loanee Sofyan Amrabat are not involved.
Form guide
Wanderers collected a second pre-season win at Chorley in mid-week after a win and loss to Championship sides West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough to start their warm-up programme.
Fiorentina have played one pre-season friendly and earned a comfortable 4-0 win over AC Reggiana.
The Italian outfit reached a second consecutive Conference League final last season but again missed out on the silveware when beaten by Olympiacos.
However, with an eighth-place finish in Serie A last season, the Violets have qualified for the Conference League play-off round and another crack at the trophy.
Kick-off
Tonight (Friday), 7:30pm
Fan Info
Tickets for the game, priced just £10 for adults and £5 for over-65s and under-18s, are available to buy via the link HERE
Live audio commentary of tonight's game is also available on Wanderers TV - with Derek Clark back on the mic as we take on the Italian giants. Commentary is available for just £2.50 - click here for more.
A double-friendly 32-page edition of matchday programme 'The Wanderer' will be available to buy around the ground and from the club shop for just £2.50.
Supporters are reminded that the Leasing Options Fan Zone will not be open as it undergoes a summer re-vamp ahead of the new League One campaign, with all the details HERE