DEAN KEATES says he will only call on players who can handle the high expectations at The Racecourse.

Tuesday's 1-0 defeat against fellow strugglers AFC Fylde leaves third from bottom Wrexham two points adrift of safety.

A crowd of less than 3,000 saw the Reds suffer more woe and the team was booed off by supporters following the final whistle.

Concerns are growing with Wrexham embroiled in a relegation battle and Keates says players need to deal with the pressure.

"I am not questioning the effort," said Keates.

"There is an expectation at the football club and it is hard.

"If players can't deal with it, they will find themselves out of the team.

"The place is on eggshells; the fans are frustrated, we are all frustrated.

"We don't want to be where we are but we are so we have got to get ourselves out of it."

Keates, who made three loan signings last week, has not ruled out making more new additions ahead of Saturday's game at bottom of the table Ebbsfleet United.

"There will be phone calls made to try and bring in one or two new additions if we can," said Keates.

"If we get people in before the weekend, we do, if we don't we go with what we have got in the changing room.

"They have got an opportunity to stake their claim to make sure they are involved the game after."

Fylde midfielder Danny Philliskirk, left in plenty of space, scored the only goal from outside the area following a counter-attack and Keates felt the Reds handled the situation wrongly.

"The frustrating thing is the goal has come from our throw in," said Keates.

"We created a two v one and the ball forward wasn't good enough, and then it turns over.

"A lot has been said about tactical fouls, there are opportunities in the middle of the pitch and somebody has to bring him down but we don't do that.

"Credit to the lads, they got back goal-side but there was not enough communication.

"Too many got behind into our 18-yard box, about five players, and the lad is left about 24 yards out.

"When they do go to block, one or two turn their back which is something that needs addressing."