Wrexham forward Josh Windass is aiming to return for the club's opening Championship fixtures after a calf injury ruled him out of their pre-season tour in the United States.
The 30-year-old forward hopes to be fit for Wrexham's Championship opener against Cardiff City, or their second league game against Watford, following his rehabilitation during the club's American trip.
Despite missing playing time during pre-season, Windass maintained his dry humour while continuing his recovery in North America.
"We've been on tour in America," Windass told Daily Mail Sport. "So it's just been brilliant for me. I've been on holiday for two weeks, doing my rehab in the sun!"
He added that he was unfazed by missing warm-up fixtures ahead of the new campaign. "It is frustrating not to be playing but I'm not one for pre-season games. I think they're all nonsense. Whether you win or lose, the proof will be in the pudding."
Rebuilding after Sheffield Wednesday departure
Windass, the son of former striker Dean Windass, is known for his refreshingly candid approach. He refrains from celebrating when scoring because he says he simply does not get happy, and noted that his American in-laws knew more about Wrexham than he did when he signed last summer.
The No 10 arrived at the Racecourse Ground last summer after leaving Sheffield Wednesday on the eve of the campaign amid financial turmoil at the Yorkshire club. He went on to enjoy one of the finest seasons of his career, scoring 16 goals and providing five assists in 28 league starts.
Windass was among 13 summer arrivals brought in as Wrexham adjusted following three consecutive promotions. After a period of adaptation, manager Phil Parkinson's side mounted a strong winter surge to climb the table before narrowly missing out on the play-offs after drawing with Middlesbrough on the final day.
"I was disappointed we didn't make the play-offs as that was our aim," Windass said. "But I try and do as best as I can and, as a No 10, you want to score and set up goals."
He expressed confidence based on the team's form during the second half of the campaign. "From Christmas onwards we were one of the top three or four teams in the league and, once you've got the proof you can do it (it's massive). If we'd have done that all season, we'd have had a good chance of promotion."
Unmatched culture in the dressing room
Having previously played for major clubs including Scottish giants Rangers, Windass insisted that the environment at Wrexham over the past 12 months surpasses anywhere else he has played.
"It's honestly incredible," Windass said of the team environment. "Before you get there, everyone says, 'Oh, it's the best dressing room ever, the culture's amazing'. And you're like, yeah, sure it is."
"But it is the best dressing room and culture I've ever been in by a country mile," he continued. "What the gaffer, Ryan (Reynolds) and Rob (Mac) have created with everybody, how they get on with each other - in football you generally don't get that in changing rooms. Here it's different."
Manager Phil Parkinson is currently the fourth longest-serving manager in English football, having spent five years leading Wrexham through a dramatic transformation from non-League status into one of global sport's most recognizable brands.
Windass credited Parkinson's meticulous approach to recruitment for creating such harmony within the squad.
"He's had so much success," Windass explained. "The way he recruits players for the dressing room, not just for the style of play (is amazing). I don't think he's made a bad signing in terms of that. He does his due diligence with character references. He signs good players, but ultimately he signs boys who want to fight for each other and get on, both on and off the pitch."
He added: "I don't know how he does it, because every club I've been at, you always have a few people you sign who are not great for the dressing room. But at Wrexham it's like he's got a magic spell because everyone comes in and is top class."
Hollywood owners and squad continuity
Windass also highlighted the influence of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, noting their close connection with the squad.
"They're the same with every player," Windass said of the owners. "They speak to us all the time and we're just a reflection of them. They're winners and the club has shown that in the last five years."
Unlike previous off-seasons marked by heavy squad turnover, Wrexham enter the upcoming campaign with high continuity. For the first time since leaving the National League, the Welsh side will play a second consecutive season in the same division.
Summer arrivals have been select, with Crystal Palace full-back Danny Imray, who spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, and Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman joining the club. Further additions are expected, including Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, while former Newcastle executive Steve Nickson has been appointed as director of football.
Windass identified defensive stability as a key area for improvement, noting Wrexham conceded more goals last season than relegated Oxford. However, he believes squad familiarity will prove decisive in their pursuit of promotion.
"That's the nail on the head," Windass said. "I don't think people realise how many new players we had on the pitch last year, and maybe that's why it took until Christmas for us to gel and start playing well. We've got 98 per cent of the team still here, we're all used to playing with each other and we get on great. The new signings have settled in seamlessly, so we're going to have a good chance."
When asked what would constitute a dream conclusion to the upcoming season, Windass closed with a playful target.
"Hopefully, I'm on a plane to Vegas having just won promotion," Windass joked. "And I've scored 20... no, I've scored 507 goals!"
