PHIL PARKINSON has explained the decision to hold a behind closed doors friendly before Wrexham embark on a four-game tour of America.

The trip to the States dominates the pre-season schedule but the Reds will take on Bala Town at Colliers Park tomorrow in a practice match without any spectators present.

Wrexham fly-out to America, where they will face Chelsea, LA Galaxy II, Manchester United and Philadelphia Union, on Sunday and Parkinson wanted his players to get a first pre-season run-out before the tour.

The Reds’ boss says playing a behind closed doors game against Cymru Premier League side Bala keeps everything “simple”.

“We will decide on how we are going to run the game minutes-wise,” he said.

“Logistically it suits us being behind closed doors because we are travelling down to London after the game for the flight.

“It just keeps everything simple by having a game at our training base and suits us in this particular situation.”

All members of Parkinson’s squad can expect to play some part in the friendly.

“Everyone is going to get some game-time,” said the Reds’ boss.

“We will make sure that every single player in the squad gets the minutes they need.

“We have had another good week going into the game.

“We have had another 11v11 in-house game, the next stage is the friendly against Bala.”

Following the America trip, Wrexham won’t have another game before the new League Two season kicks off at home to MK Dons on Saturday August 5.

There hasn’t been a friendly at The Racecourse in pre-season and Parkinson said: “The pitch isn’t ready so that wasn’t an option anyway.

“We are fortunate that we have got a great surface to train on at our training base.”

Wrexham, crowned National League champions following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign, returned for pre-season training a fortnight ago.

Parkinson heaped praise on his players for the way they have embraced the sessions.

“We have had two good weeks now,” he said.

“The lads have attacked every session, everything that has been put in front of them they have worked really hard.”

The opening match in America is against Premier League giants Chelsea at the Kenan Memorial Stadium, North Carolina, on Wednesday, and Parkinson is looking forward to the tour ahead of Wrexham’s first season back in the Football League since 2008.

“I know a few people from Wrexham are coming over to America,” he added.

“My family is coming over, I know Steve Parkin’s are and a few of the players’ families are also coming over.

“It is going to be great to share this experience with our supporters from over here and obviously our families.

“We are looking forward to it.”