Who's in and who's out at Wrexham?

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

25 April 2008

BRIAN LITTLE is to hold talks with his Wrexham squad today before announcing his retained list.

Little, absent from training yesterday after undergoing a minor knee operation, was hoping to speak to players who are out of contract this summer.

A total of 15 members of his first team squad will be waiting to hear if they are offered new deals, with Mike Carvill, Alex Darlington, Matty Done, Steve Evans, Josh Johnson, Mark Jones, Michael Jones, Chris Llewellyn, Jamie Reed, Neil Roberts and Danny Williams all out of contract.

Jeff Whitley, at The Racecourse on a non-contract basis, and Carl Tremarco, whose contract with Tranmere Rovers was taken over by the Reds when he joined in January, will also be free agents this summer.

And Danny Sonner and Phil Bolland, two more January signings whose short term deals run out at the end of the campaign, are also out of contract.

Little also has decisions to make about loan signings Paul Hall, Drewe Broughton, Robbie Garrett, Stuart Nicholson and Rob Duffy.

And the Reds' boss has also admitted players who are contracted beyond the summer may be made available for transfer.

Little will also continue his policy of giving younger players vital first team experience when relegated Wrexham entertain Accrington Stanley at The Racecourse tomorrow (3pm).

Defeat at Hereford United on Tuesday brought Wrexham's 87-year unbroken membership of the Football League to an end, and the Reds will be playing in the Blue Square Premier Division next season.

But with two matches remaining this term – Wrexham travel to Lincoln City on the final weekend – Little is using the fixtures as a chance to blood youngsters for next season.

"We are trying to educate the younger players and that will continue," said Little today. "The kids have learnt a lot in two different matches, both home and away, in the last week.

"They had the pressure of having to win against Notts County last Saturday and they were doing well until conceding the first goal at Hereford in another big game.

"What happened at Hereford was a big thing so early in their careers, something that will stay with them for years.

"That experience will test them but if they come through it, they will go on and have good careers at whatever level.

"There are two games left and we will continue working with the younger players."

The likes of Wes Baynes, Mike Williams, Neil Taylor, Andy Fleming, Conall Murtagh, Levi Mackin, Matty Done, Marc Williams and Shaun Pejic have all been given their chance by Little in the last two outings, ousting senior players such as Richard Hope and Drewe Broughton whose loan deal ends after tomorrow's match.

The latest two players set to figure in the last two outings are goalkeeper Michael Jones and Mike Carvill, though the midfielder has to overcome a thigh strain.

"I would like to look at Michael and Mike, if he is fit," said Little. "It is important to see how they both do on that type of stage."

Little has been pleased with Wrexham's form at The Racecourse since the turn of the year, although he would have liked to have seen the Reds pick up more victories on home territory.

Wrexham have won four matches this year in front on their own fans, drawn five and lost just once against Peterborough United.

And although planning for next season, Little is hoping to end the current campaign on a winning note.

"Lots of people are onto next season already which is understandable," added Little. "But we still have two games we have to play and they are our priority.

"We have still got things to do and we are trying to win two matches.

"We have done reasonably well at home and hopefully we can continue that. We have not won a great deal but we haven't lost loads.

"Only Peterborough have beaten us since the New Year at The Racecourse. We have had a hard to beat mentality but unfortunately we have not had the same response away from home."