DEAN KEATES has called on his Wrexham players to show composure as the race for promotion hots up during a frantic final third of the National League campaign.

An upturn in form since the turn of the year has put the Reds, currently spending a 13th season in non-league, on course for a play-off spot.

There are 17 matches remaining in the quest for a top-seven finish and while Keates is expecting more twists and turns going down the final straight as the games come thick and fast, the Reds boss wants his side to handle the pressure.

"It is seven points to the top," said Keates. "There are going to be twists and turns, everybody has got to play each other.

"The games come thick and fast with it being Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday.

"It is going to be relentless and it is not going to be for the faint hearted.

"We have just got to keep our composure and we will go into every single game believing we have got the best opportunity to go and get three points.

"We have given ourselves that opportunity."

Wrexham were battling against relegation when the 2019-20 season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Keates revamped his squad over the summer and Wrexham are well placed in the push promotion.

Although he would prefer to be top of the table rather than in the chasing pack, the Reds' boss says there will be no let-up from his side in the bid to realise their aim.

"At the beginning of the season, the budget was cut from what the budget was from when I walked in," added Keates.

"The objective was to make this football club as competitive as it can be and as it stands, we are where we are.

"We would like to be at the top, we are a little bit short of the points tally we looked at at the beginning of the season but we have still got that chance to go and get them points over the next few games."