JAZZI BARNUM-BOBB insists it “wasn’t a surprise” to be told his time at Wrexham was over after just one season.

But he will always wonder whether he could have made the right-back berth his own.

Barnum-Bobb, brought in by Bryan Hughes, only made two National League appearances after Dean Keates returned to The Racecourse.

The 24-year-old had featured in half of Hughes’ 12 games in charge at the start of the 2019/20 campaign, but quickly found himself on the outside looking in under Keates.

“I wasn’t playing, so it wasn’t a surprise,” said Barnum-Bobb regarding the call from Keates informing him his services were no longer needed. “If it wasn’t for the virus I would probably have gone out on loan, so it was a shame not to play football somewhere.

“You look internally first when you are not playing, but it’s frustrating not being in the team or playing football, because that’s what all we want to do.

“It’s important to be self-critical at first but then when you don’t get a chance after that... I played in the cup games, which weren’t the same as league action, but I thought I did okay.

“In football you just hope you get the chance to prove yourself.”

Barnum-Bobb was in direct competition with Mark Carrington, the experienced man someone Keates knew well as a former team-mate and a player he managed during his first spell at Wrexham.

The ex-Newport County defender was more than happy to fight for the shirt, but his chances of game time decreased further when the likes of James Horsfield arrived in north Wales on loan.

“Results weren’t going to plan and it’s natural for the manager to look at what needs to change, the easiest way of trying to change results is by using players you know,” said Barnum-Bobb. “When he came in I would have been one he was watching to see what I could bring, but it was a testing time and I didn’t get a run of games.

“Carra is a very, very good footballer and if the manager wanted that extra experience that’s fine and I had no issue fighting for the shirt. But then he got injured and loans starting coming in that played in my position.

“I’ve got no regrets about signing for a massive club such as Wrexham though. It’s a season I’ll never forget. It’s been crazy.”