MICHAEL Collins welcomed City’s testing start to the new season – because his new team will have to be bang at it.

The release of the fixtures handed the head coach a demanding baptism, with an opening-day trip to play-off finalists Shrewsbury and home games against two relegated Championship sides.

They also face newly-promoted Wycombe in the first month and then go to Joey Barton’s Fleetwood.

But Collins, who has made his first signing in Connor Wood, believes his players will be ready to relish the challenge when it comes around.

He said: “There’s two ways you can look at it – as a tough opening or a great opportunity to put a marker down.

“Playing Shrewsbury is going to be a very good test. They obviously finished the season very well and just missed out on promotion.

“But they’ll be in transition a little bit like ourselves with a new manager coming in.

“There are some tough fixtures running into the second month but I think I’d prefer to have it that way.

“It sets everybody’s minds on the job straight away. They know if they don’t hit the ground running, we’ll give ourselves a problem.

“We’ll get a good idea straight away with regards to where the players are at and the size of the task ahead of us.

“I might sound like a broken record but we’ll be prepared, we’ll do our research on all the teams we come across and the players will be well aware of what to expect.”

Shrewsbury lost manager Paul Hurst to Ipswich straight after their Wembley defeat. He has been replaced by John Askey, who won the National League with Macclesfield.

Barnsley, City’s first opponents at Valley Parade, also have a new boss after German Daniel Stendel was appointed following their relegation.

Collins added: “The good thing about the Shrewsbury game is we came up against John Askey’s teams on three occasions last season for Halifax.

“So, I should have a good insight into how I expect him to set his team up. I don’t think there will be any surprises.

“That might turn out to be a good opening day of the season. But we’ve got to be respectful that they will have that first-day euphoria about the place with the new manager and being at home.

“Barnsley are another club with a new manager coming in. Can we catch them in that transitional phase?

“But when I looked across the division, it was a little reminder of how strong it is.

“You look at the fixtures and, like everybody, look for the ones you fancy yourself in.

“But there are a lot of teams in there now who will expect to be pushing towards the top end of the table.

“Like any season, there will be surprise packages like Shrewsbury last year.

“It’s going to be challenging but we’ve also got to remember how good we are and what we’re going to be about.

“We’re a big name in the division and people will be looking out for us on the fixture list. I’m sure Shrewsbury and Barnsley are saying that we’re going to be a tough test.

“I’m excited for it but the most important thing is that the preparation is right. Do that and I’ll be relaxed and confident going into any game.”