WANDERERS have lined up two big local derbies as they make early preparations for life in League One.

Following this week’s announcement of a home clash with Preston North End, the club confirmed yesterday Premier League-bound Burnley will visit the Macron Stadium on Tuesday, July 26.

Dean Holdsworth has already outlined his plan to be the “fittest team in League One” next season and though a manager has yet to be named, the new man will walk into a pre-ordaned schedule which begins a week earlier than it has in recent years.

After fitness testing at the end of June, some of the first-team players will be plunged straight into action with another local clash at Atherton Collieries’ Alder House on July 2.

That will provide a warm-up before a planned week-long fitness camp on the continent – although it is understood the new manager will have the deciding vote on whether he wants to take his side abroad for further friendlies or to stay and organise more games at home.

The next game on English shores is presently set to be at Mansfield on Saturday, July 16. Wanderers have not played at Field Mill since 1993 in their last stint in the third tier of English football and the 1-1 draw, earned courtesy of a Mark Seagraves goal, happened on the same day as the famous abandoned Grand National race at Aintree.

On Tuesday, July 19, Wanderers face Tranmere Rovers in a testimonial game for Warwick Rimmer.

A former captain who lifted the 1973 Third Division title, Rimmer made 528 appearances for the Whites between 1960 and 1974 before playing another century of games for Crewe Alexandra.

He then worked for many years in the youth set-up at Prenton Park, with his graduates earning the Birkenhead club an estimated £14million.

On Friday, July 22, Wanderers travel to Crewe’s Alexandra Stadium before rounding off their preparations with two heavy-hitters at home to Burnley and Preston.

Wanderers will also send an XI to the following fixtures: Saturday, July 9, Radcliffe Borough A (3pm); Friday, July 12, Stafford Rangers A (7.45pm); Friday, July 15, Ashton United A (7.30pm); Wednesday, July 20, Chester A (7.45pm); Saturday, July 23, York City A (1.30pm); Wednesday, July 27, Chorley A (7.30pm); Tuesday, August 2, Ramsbottom United A (7.30pm).