PHIL PARKINSON is looking forward to a different type of test when Wrexham face AFC Bournemouth tomorrow in the opening game of the pre-season tour to North America.

The Reds have made the trip to the USA for a second year in a row and take on the Cherries in Santa Barbara and then Chelsea in Santa Clara next Wednesday before moving on to Canada for the first time to face Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on Saturday July 27.

Wrexham, back in League One after clinching two promotions in a row for the first time in the club's history, kicked-off their pre-season programme with a 5-1 win over Northern Premier League Division One West outfit Hanley Town at Potteries Park on Saturday.

The Reds dominated the game and although Parkinson knows his players face a much tougher challenge against Bournemouth, who finished 12th in the Premier League last term, it is something he has welcomed.

“The games on the tour are brilliant for us and we are playing in some fantastic stadiums," said the Reds' boss.

"They are going to be three really important games for us and completely different to Hanley.

"If you go back to last year against the Premier League sides, you don't have as much possession as you would like because of their technical ability but that is also a good exercise for us to work on our out of possession, shape and organisation because that will be key going into the League One season.

"There are different types of games like against Hanley and the last one against Vancouver, which will be another fantastic experience going to Canada.

"It is a working trip, it's not a holiday, and we need to come back as close as we possibly can be ready for the start of the season."