DEAN KEATES has been in contract talks with one Wrexham player and he's challenged other members of his squad to earn new deals in the run-in.

Keates revamped his squad last summer with the defensive quartet of Kevin Roberts, Manny Smith, James Jennings and captain Shaun Pearson all penning two-year deals.

Akil Wright and Nicky Deverdics have since committed for the 2018-19 season along with midfielder Sam Wedgbury who arrived at The Racecourse last summer and last week agreed a contract extension.

The likes of 13-goal leading scorer Chris Holroyd and Paul Rutherford, into double figures for assists, will be free agents at the end of the season and Keates is hoping to tie down the unnamed player.

"There is only one more that we looked at," said Keates.

"We have spoken but as it stands at the minute nothing has really materialised other than the conversations so we will see how it goes,

"If nothing happens with that, it is something we can look at towards the end of the season."

Sixth placed Wrexham, eight points behind National League leaders Macclesfield Town who also have a game in hand, have 10 matches remaining in the push for promotion.

Keates has urged players who are out of contract at the end of the season to take their chance in the final two months so they are part of his plans for the future.

"It is a horrible time of year, I have been in it myself and I understand that," said Keates.

"We are still in a decent position and we have been consistent over the season.

"There are 10 big games left for the players to sell themselves to make sure that they are at this football club next season or if not here, it is somewhere else.

"One thing that happens when you have had a decent season and if you have been in a team that has been there or thereabouts, other teams do look to try and pick your players."

With seven players already signed up for next season Keates has the backbone of his team in place.

Having handed out two year deals last summer when he began reshaping his squad, Keates admits it was important to plan for the future and not just the short-term.

"When I sat down with the board you need to look at a long term plan," said Keates. "Give the club some structure and get everything in place.

"For me it was vital that if you are going to build something, you need to have a spine in place.

"We got Shaun, Manny, Kevin and James in on two year deals last season, now we have added Akil who is someone we can develop and work with, Nicky and Sam have been added to that.

"The opportunity is there for the other lads in the team, players are in the situation where they have got to sell themselves.

"There are 10 games left that we can go forward and take the club forward."