KEITH Curle's pre-season preparations step up a gear tomorrow, as Latics play the first of five pre-season friendlies, at Northern Premier League side Ashton United.

Head coach Curle had planned to play six warm-up games, but the trip to Huddersfield Town that was pencilled in for the last of them on July 31 had to be cancelled due to the Terriers' opening round fixture of the Carabao Cup that has been brought forward to the same weekend, as is permitted within the competition rules.

Latics are hoping to find fresh opponents, although that vacant date has yet to be filled.

But, for now, Curle is ready to see how their training ground work so far will transfer to a matchday scenario, after putting his players through their paces with the tough pre-season that he promised last term.

"No matter what players do in the off season, when they come back pre-season's difficult. I think I've done 40-odd," said Curle, who played for Manchester City and Wolves in a playing career that spanned two decades, before making the move into coaching and management.

"No matter how much training you do they're always difficult, the demands are difficult.

"We've tried to graduate the demands and also integrate new signings, new players, trialists into the pre-season as well so it's getting that contact time on the pitch, it's vitally important."

But Curle is encouraged by the work ethic he has witnessed at their Chapel Road training base.

"The attitude towards the challenges that we've set the players has been excellent and I think that comes from the changing room environment whereby they knew it was going to be difficult because we tell them it's going to be difficult, but don't melt because it's going to be difficult," he said.

"It's one of those where (if they) accept the challenges that are designed to get them fitter, stronger, more robust. Everything we do is not designed to give them anything that's not beneficial for them.

"The best way to get fit for football is to play football, so the balls have been out on the first day. Within it there's a little bit of physicality that the players need to make them robust."

Tomorrow's friendly at Hurst Cross will be the first opportunity Curle has had to manage Latics in front of fans.

All of his 14 games in charge to date have been behind closed doors.

But supporters will be allowed back through the turnstiles tomorrow, with Ashton United charging just £5 for entry, although tickets must be purchased online.

"I've come to the football club and been welcomed by the football club, but I want to be representative of the team that's performing in front of our fans," said Curle.

"That's not just me, all managers and coaches thrive on being in that environment - playing in front of your supporters, and winning."

Tickets for tomorrow's friendly can be bought from www.ashtonunitedfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets. Tickets can be printed off, or displayed on your phone at the turnstiles.