DEAN KEATES insists his only concern is making sure his player recruitment is right for Wrexham - not what the Reds’ National League rivals are doing.

While Keates only has seven players under contract at The Racecourse, the likes of Stockport County are assembling a squad that, on paper at least, looks capable of challenging for promotion.

Defender James Jennings has opted against waiting to hold contract talks with Keates, instead heading to Edgeley Park, where he has been joined by fellow ex-Reds in the shape of brother Connor, John Rooney and Alex Reid.

But Keates isn’t concerning himself with other club’s transfer dealings, saying: “You always get teams with massive budgets who have a go and it’s important not to worry about them.

“My job is to get the recruitment right for this football club and get the club back on the right track.”

In contrast to Stockport, who were taken over by Mark Stott in January, Wrexham have to cut their cloth accordingly as a fan-owned club.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused massive, massive problems in football,” continued Keates. “Some teams might want to pay x-amount for a player, but it’s not feasible for everyone.”

Given that clubs throughout the pyramid will be tightening their belts and with talk of a salary cap at certain levels, Keates is confident that there will be enough quality available on the market.

“There will be plenty of players around,” he said. “It’s about getting the right players and signing players that are all ready to pull in the right direction at this football club.

“There is no point worrying about what other teams are doing, it’s about getting our house in order so that when our unbelievable fans are back watching us they are watching a team they can be proud of.”

Although Wrexham might not have blank cheques to offer to potential new signings, Keates knows the Reds have plenty going for them when trying to lure players to The Racecourse.

“It’s a fantastic club,” said Keates. “And it’s got a great catchment area. The catchment area is a decent size.

“And some players are commuting up to one and a half hours, which stretches the catchment area of the football club far and wide.

“But as I said, it’s about picking the right players.

“There will be players in League One and League Two dropping down the divisions and they will become available.

“It’s about making sure that the players who do come into the football club have the right hunger and desire, they are not just treating it as a job, but they want to help Wrexham succeed.”

Wrexham’s catchment area includes the Cymru Premier, which has helped the likes of Rhys Healey, Scott Quigley and Sam Finley progress to the Football League in recent years.

Keates is ready to use every avenue available to strengthen his squad, including the Welsh top-flight, if the talent is there.

“You can’t rule anything out,” said Keates, who played for Rhyl in 2015/16 after leaving Wrexham. “It’s about getting the right players, whether they are in the Cymru Premier or elsewhere.

“I played in it a few years ago and I do get players put to me.”