DEAN KEATES has explained why Bobby Grant failed to make the squad for Saturday's 3-0 win against Woking and insists there is no problem between him and Wrexham's leading scorer.

Not only was Grant left out of the side, the eight-goal attacking midfielder didn't even make the substitutes bench but Keates says he remains part of his plans.

"I have a good relationship with Bobby, I get on really well with him," said Keates.

"I have decisions to make. I am employed by the football club to make the right decisions to take the club forward so there was nothing at all in the reason for it.

"The 16 players that represented the football club on Saturday were the ones that I thought were best to go against Woking.

"Bobby is still here so there is nothing happening with him."

Keates, who also omitted Devonte Redmond from his matchday 16 as Dan Jarvis started and fellow new signing Davis Keillor-Dunn came on as a second half substitute, added: "I had to pick a starting XI and substitutes that I look at to have an impact and they weren't involved.

"The lads who came in made a difference for us."

Jarvis and Keillor-Dunn - both attacking midfielders - impressed Keates.

"Football clubs evolve and need to move forward," said Keates. "The position that we are in, it has not been good enough so we need fresh impetus.

"The two lads that came in had good debuts and you could see that they will hopefully take the club in the right direction."

Keates could not fault any of his players as Wrexham bounced back from the 2-1 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Aldershot two weeks earlier by beating Woking to stay two points above the relegation zone in 18th position.

"Full credit to the players, they gave everything," added Keates.

"Some of the distances I reckon were personal bests, the players covered everything. JJ Hooper won numerous headers and challenges so he helped set things off for us, it was massive.

"Every man that crossed that white line gave the football club 100 per cent and that needs to be replicated over the last 15 games."