PHIL PARKINSON wants new signings so Wrexham are competitive at a higher level but he believes that he already has a group of players that can continue "taking the club forward".

The Reds finished the League Two campaign with five successive wins to secure runners-up spot and clinch back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history.

Parkinson announced his retained list on Friday and first-team captain Luke Young, club captain Ben Tozer and centre-back Aaron Hayden were among eight out of contract players who have been released.

Although he is keen to make new additions ahead of Wrexham's first season in League One since 2004-05, Parkinson feels he already has a decent squad that can continue the journey with the Reds.

"The aim has always been to improve what we have got in each transfer window but also maintaining our key players," said Parkinson, who has the likes of leading scorer Paul Mullin and playmaker Elliot Lee under contract at The Racecourse.

"We have got a good core of players. We have always recruited with the long-term future in mind.

"As I have always said, it is important to bring players in who are good enough to carry on the journey with the club.

"Some players move on along the way and others come in.

"But I feel we have recruited players who can carry on with us and keep taking the club forward."