PHIL PARKINSON said he wanted to give Ben Foster time to decide whether he wanted to commit to a whole season but he can sense that the goalkeeper is "really motivated" ahead of Wrexham's return to the Football League.

The 40-year-old has signed a new one-year contract, keeping him at The Racecourse until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Former England international Foster came out of retirement in March to join Wrexham on a deal until the end of the season as a replacement for the injured Rob Lainton and he helped Parkinson's men clinch the National League title and return to the Football League following a 15-year absence.

Foster, who started the final eight games and kept three clean sheets, said he was unsure about his future and Parkinson let the promotion celebrations die down before finding out if the stopper intended to return to retirement or continue playing.

But the Reds' boss was left in no doubt that Foster is committed for the upcoming League Two season.

"I just wanted to let the euphoria of the season die down," said Parkinson.

"I wanted Ben to stay, not on the back of that euphoria but after thinking long and hard that he wanted to commit to it because there is obviously a difference between 46 games and eight games.

"But Ben is really motivated to play a key part for us next season in what is going to be an exciting season back in the Football League.

"Straight away he said that he enjoyed it last season; he came in with very little training behind him as well but this time around he will have a full pre-season.

"It is important we get as much quality as we can on that football pitch and in the squad, that is only get benefit us in terms of our ambitions for next season."

Foster had announced in September that he was hanging up his gloves but answered Parkinson's SOS call during the exiting title run-in.

Parkinson says the fans' favourite impressed him off the pitch as well as on it.

"Ben is a top class goalkeeper," he said.

"His performances were different class for us but the way he is around the training ground is also a huge bonus for us.

"He is a great professional and I am excited about working with him for the coming season."

Foster returned to The Racecourse 18 years after he last played for the club, on a loan spell from Stoke which included a starring role in the 2-0 LDV Vans Trophy Final victory against Southend United at the Millennium Stadium that earned him a move to Manchester United.

He also helped the Rest of the World to a 4-2 win over England in Sunday’s SoccerAid match at Old Trafford, and Parkinson says age is no barrier.

"When he finished playing, Ben still looked after himself," added Parkinson.

"With age, it is different for goalkeepers.

"They can play longer and Ben showed that last season.

"He probably surprised himself a little bit as well with how good his body felt in that period where he was training and playing games.

"It is a really important signing for us and I know our supporters will be delighted."