Joe Clarke wants to be a regular in Andy Morrell’s side and help Wrexham realise their promotion dream after agreeing a new deal.
Clarke is out of contract in January but has been offered a new deal that will run to the end of the season and the 24-year-old, who initially joined Wrexham in the summer of 2011, is delighted to extend his stay at The Racecourse.
“Mozza has offered me an extension to my contract until the end of the season so that should be signed by the end of the week,” said Clarke.
“I am delighted. I want to be part of the good things that are happening here and hopefully a promotion-winning side.
“I feel I have done a good job when I have played and feel I am getting better with each game as well so it is nice that has been recognised by Mozza and Billy Barr.
“It gives me a bit of confidence that they have extended my deal and hopefully I can keep my place in the team for the rest of the season.”
Morrell identified the qualities that have helped earn Clarke a contract extension.
“We know exactly what we’ll get from Joe which is full tilt, effort and commitment,” said Morrell. “That is the sort of player I like at our club.
“I think he’ll tell you he’s not the most gifted but what he does give you is athletisism, height, he is two-footed, he tackles and puts himself about.”
Although opportunities have been limited this season, Clarke has started the last five matches and Morrell believes the midfielder has never let the side down when called upon.
“He usually plays the sitting role for us but when Dean Keates plays, he plays a little bit further forward,” said Morrell.
“Away from home especially, he gives us a little bit extra defensive duties which has been key for us on a few occasions and he has never let us down when he has come in. He is a great lad.
“I don’t think he has lost that many games when he has been in the team so that is a good trait to have. He has been unlucky on a few occasions not to be in the team but when he has come in he has done great.”
Clarke counts Solihull Moors – Wrexham’s opponents in the second round of the FA Trophy – among his former clubs.
Wrexham earned another home tie after beating Rushall Olympic 5-0 on Saturday and Morrell, who opted to rest a number of his regulars and give some fringe players a run-out, was pleased with the response.
“I said it was a chance for the lads that haven’t maybe played that much to have a go and put a point across – don’t leave me out sort of thing – and I thought everybody did okay,” said Morrell, who made seven changes from the side that beat Braintree Town 5-1 in the previous outing.
“At times we played some really good stuff. I’m glad because that means everybody is pretty much at full tilt now.
“The lads that were left out have hopefully had a good rest, they will come back in and we will have a look later on in the week.”
Before the Solihull tie, which is due to be played at The Racecourse on December 15, Wrexham have three league matches, starting with Saturday’s trip to Kidderminster Harriers.
With Wrexham unbeaten in three games and level on points with Grimsby Town having also played a game less, Morrell is looking for another positive result but Harriers will not be taken lightly.
“The lads are in good spirits. The last couple of results put you in that mindset but Kidderminster are going really well now,” added Morrell, who hopes goalkeeper Joslain Mayebi (groin) and defender Stephen Wright (calf) will be available.
“They had a bit of a stutter at the start but are going a lot better now.”