CALLUM MCFADZEAN endured a frustrating season with Wrexham but Phil Parkinson is backing the wing-back to get his career back on track now he's returned to full fitness.

The 30-year-old, who arrived at The Racecourse from Crewe Alexandra in January 2022, helped the Reds clinch the National League title following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign.

But he played through the pain barrier towards the end of the season because of a hernia problem and underwent surgery last summer.

Clubs in League Two are limited to a 22-man squad and there was no place for the experienced McFadzean when the 2023-24 campaign kicked off, with the defender restricted to just three cup appearances before the turn of the year.

When Phil Parkinson updated his squad list after the January transfer window closed, McFadzean earned a spot and he made two substitute appearances during the run-in as Wrexham secured a top-three finish to make it back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history.

However McFadzean, battling it out with James McClean and Jacob Mendy on the left flank, is one of eight players released by Parkinson.

But the Reds' boss believes the player is in a much better position than he was 12 months ago and can kick-on with his career.

"Callum had a problem with his groin, he had an operation and when he came back in pre-season last year he was still playing catch-up after missing a lot of the off-season work," said Parkinson.

"We had to make the selection for the 22-man squad and he was out of that.

"He had the opportunity to move in January but he wanted to stay and get himself into good physical condition, he got himself into the squad and came on in two games at Grimsby and against Crewe.

"Callum is in a better place now than he has been for a while to go and get himself off and running again."

First-team captain Luke Young, club captain Luke Young, goalkeeper Rob Lainton and defenders Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe have not been offered new contracts along with young professionals Dan Davies and Owen Cushion.

Defender Davies and Cushion, a midfielder, both featured in the Football League Trophy this season and Parkinson explained his decision to release the duo.

"It is time for Owen and Dan to go and get a couple of seasons in men's football," he said.

"They have been great with us but we have got to be realistic and say that if they are not knocking on the door of the first team, it is time for them to move on and carve a career out for themselves."

Young and Tozer weren't regulars during the second half of the season when Wrexham stepped up a gear, finishing with five successive wins to clinch runners-up spot behind champions Stockport County.

But Parkinson praised his two captains for the way they have conducted themselves on and off the pitch.

"One of the key elements to our success this season has been the dressing room and the lads out of the team," he added.

"Ben hasn't played a lot recently and Luke hasn't played, but their professionalism has been outstanding and it has driven the group on."