Wrexham manager Dean Keates believe team should still have 100 per cent record. Pic: Getty Images.

Five New Boys For Wrexham – And More Could Follow

Wrexham are still looking to strengthen their squad even though the January transfer window has closed.

Manager Dean Keates signed five players in January – Davis Keillor-Dunn, Dan Jarvis, Jordan Ponticelli, Jay Harris, Jordon Thompson – but the Dragons are keen to add more talent.

“We are delighted as a football club,” said Keates. “I spent most of Friday on the phone and we got what we wanted in the end.

“We signed the main targets. There are still one or two that might come in. We will see how that goes.

“Coming to the end of the window, a few players terminated contracts and they could still have a contract at this football club.

“Maybe I will have one or two in different positions coming in.”

Wrexham are unbeaten in three Vanarama National League matches – two wins and a draw – and they are five points outside the relegation zone. The next fixture for Reds is at Chesterfield this Saturday.

Scouser Harris, aged 32, returns to Wrexham on an 18-month contract after leaving Macclesfield Town. He played almost 200 matches for the North Wales club between 2010 and 2015, playing alongside Keates.

“Jay is a massive signing, a great signing for this football club,” said Keates.

“He will bring a wealth of experience. He is a voice, a leader, has high standards and will drive the players on around him.

“Jay will effect the team in a positive way. It just won’t be that one voice with Shaun Pearson, there will be another voice in there. Jay will do well for us.”

Tenacious midfield player Harris helped Wrexham to the FA Trophy final twice while he was at the Racecourse, while he played a key role when Tranmere Rovers were promoted back into the Football League and then rose into League One.

“Everybody knows what he is about from when he was here the first time,” said Harris.

“Since then he has won two promotions and long-term that is what we are looking to do – take this club back into the Football League. He will play a part in that.

“His know-how of achieving promotions means he will be able to pass it onto the younger players.

“Jay is here for this season and next. He will play his part over the next 18 months taking the club forward.”

Harris described his return to Wrexham as ‘incredible’, saying: “Dean [Keates] and I played together for five years here. We had a good relationship both on the field and off it and we always kept in contact.

“But the past is the past, I have a job to do again. I’m looking forward to it. I love playing football and to be back here is incredible.

“I don’t think I’ve changed much. I’ve aged a bit obviously, but I feel I can still do the same job as I did when I last here, which made me a fan’s favourite – hopefully I can rekindle that relationship with the fans.”

Defender Thompson, aged 20, made his debut during the goalless draw against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday, has joined the Dragons on a 28-day loan spell from Coventry City, but is adamant he wants to extend that. 

“Wrexham are a massive club, you can see by the number of fans,” he says. “It is probably one of the biggest clubs at this level, and even in League Two and maybe League One.

“When I heard about the move I just wanted to jump at it and give the boys everything that I’ve got.”

Scottish midfield player Keillor-Dunn, aged 22, joined Wrexham from Ross County until the end of this season, while 21-year-old Jarvis has joined the Reds from Stoke City on an 18-month contract.

Ponticelli, aged 21, has joined Wrexham on loan from Coventry until the end of this season.

Several players have moved on from the Dragons. Adam Barton’s contract was cancelled, while 19-year-old goalkeeper Dawid Szczepaniak has signed for JD Cymru Premier side Cefn Druids on loan until the end of the season.

Bobby Grant has joined League One Accrington Stanley, also on loan until the end of the season.

Wrexham drew 0-0 against Dagenham in their latest National League fixture, taking their points tally to seven from the last three matches.

JJ Hooper provided Wrexham’s only real chance when his header was saved by goalkeeper Elliot Justham just before the half hour mark, while home ‘keeper Rob Lainton made some excellent saves and was man of the match.

He twice denied former Wrexham player Tyler Reid.

Wrexham: (5-2-2-1): Lainton (gk), Jennings (Harris 78), Pearson (capt), Lawlor, Kennedy, Thompson, Summerfield, Young, Jarvis (Keillor-Dunn 84), Rutherford, Hooper. Subs not used: Dibble (gk), Ponticelli, Cleworth

Dagenham & Redbridge: (5-2-3): Justham, Eleftheriou, Onariase, Clark (capt), Croll, Gordon, Robinson, Brundle, Deering, House (Kandi 67’), Reid. Subs not used: Strizovic (GK), Wright, Graham, Grant

Referee: Andrew Kitchen

Attendance: 4,024 (away 74)

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