DEAN KEATES expects to complete the permanent signing of a creative player before the weekend.

The Wrexham boss is looking to strengthen his squad with the Reds sitting just two points above the National League relegation zone.

The transfer target was allowed to train with Wrexham by his parent club before Christmas and Keates believes he can seal a deal.

"I have got one or two possible permanent signings in the pipeline and hopefully by the weekend one will be across the line," said Keates.

"The kid that I am looking at is what we need.

"He is exciting, he is creative and he is somebody I have had my eye on for over a year now.

"I watched him numerous times last season and took him in a few times earlier this season when I was in between jobs.

"He is somebody I know. His team let him come and train with us before Christmas so we could have a closer look at him and if we can get it across the line and make it all work, he is somebody I feel will have a good future at this football club.

"He comes with good pedigree and I honestly believe he will be at the football club."

Keates is also running the rule over a number of trialists with a view to them also joining Wrexham.

"I am looking at a few players this week in training," said Keates. "They are with clubs, it is just on trial to have a closer look at them and see if I decide that they can help take us forward."

Meanwhile, Keates expects to be without midfielder Akil Wright for "a couple more weeks".

Wright has missed the last five league games with a slight hernia but he doesn't require surgery.

"It has kind of come from nowhere," said Keates.

"It is a slight hernia but it doesn't need an operation; there is a different route and a different thing we can do.

"Akil has had an injection which has helped settle it down but we are still around a couple more weeks."

Keates is looking forward to welcoming Wright back to boost the fight against relegation.

"He has been a big loss," added Keates. "Before I came in he wasn't really in and around it, he hadn't consistently played.

"I know what Akil is about, I brought him to the club and I felt he was starting to find his feet and get to what Akil can be about and what he brings to the team.

"It is a body blow but you have to get on with it."