MARK CARRINGTON admits he has been impressed with the quality of signings made by Reds’ boss Dean Keates during the summer.

Keates is revamping his squad and Carrington is one of just five players remaining at the club after Wrexham finished 13th in the National League last term.

Nine new signings – Christian Dibble, James Hurst, James Jennings, Shaun Pearson, Manny Smith, Sam Wedgbury, Jack Mackreth, Marcus Kelly and Chris Holroyd – have arrived at The Racecourse with more to follow before the new campaign kicks off on August 5.

“It is a new look squad again but I am pleased with what I have seen going on over the summer,” said Carrington.

“Every time we have made a signing I have been thinking, ‘good signing that, good player,’ so things are looking good.

“Everyone knew it was probably going to be a bit of a turnaround from last year and it has been.

“The gaffer has done really well with the signings he has brought in so we are all looking forward to it.

“It seems a good bunch of lads and everyone is gelling well already. The only way is up.”

Wrexham returned for pre-season on Friday, with the players put through a range of fitness tests, before training yesterday for the first time on the Nine Acre site.

“Pre-season is something you have just got to get out of the way,” said Carrington. “I think the first week is always the hardest with the running but we will get it under our belt and it will stand us in good stead.

“I have kept things ticking over anyway, I do my bits. You have got to, you can’t come back unfit these days so I am sure we will be fine.”

Utility player Carrington is in line to play at either right-back or midfield when Wrexham kick-off a 10th season in non-league, although he doesn’t mind where he is used.

“I am versatile and I am happy to play anywhere that the gaffer wants me to play,” said Carrington, who is vying with new signing Hurst for the right-back berth,

“The back is looking strong now – everywhere is to be honest – so it is looking good.”

Keates will have to name a new captain after Rob Evans was released at the end of last season.

Carrington skippered the side in the absence of Evans and says it would be an honour if he was appointed captain.

“If the gaffer wants me to be captain I will be delighted to, it would be an honour,” added Carrington.

“But there are probably other candidates in the dressing room that he has got his eye on.”

A striker is set to be unveiled as Keates’ latest signing this week.

The un-named forward has agreed to join Wrexham following the cancellation of his contract at another club.

“It is still on and it is all agreed,” said Keates. “There has just been a hold up between him and his previous club.

“He had a year left at his club but it is a termination of his contract.

“It is all systems go and all being well it can be concluded in the next few days and he joins us. We have got an agreement in place and it fits all parties.”

Three  of the names rumoured to be linked with a move to Wrexham are Tranmere Rovers forward Andy Cook, target man Matt Rhead, who helped Lincoln City to the National League title last season and Inverness striker, Scott Boden.  

Keates is also running the rule over another striker who trained with Wrexham last season and he arrives on trial today.

With a couple of slots left to fill in his squad, Keates is eager to add to his attacking options.

“All being well the striker we have got an agreement with will be in this week and the trialist we have got coming in is a striker,” said Keates. “He starts training today.

“We are looking at adding one more striker.

“There are plenty of players about and I am getting offered players left, right and centre to come in so you can have a look at them.

“But I am leaving one or two spots open for new additions on top of what we have already got sorted.

“We won’t have loads in, but if we can get one or two in that we feel is a bit different to what we have already got.”