DEAN KEATES believes he will have "hard decisions" to make as Wrexham's promotion challenge goes down the final straight.

Jay Harris marked his return from injury with a late substitute appearance in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Barnet while first choice goalkeeper Rob Lainton, absent for the previous nine games, was named among the substitutes at The Hive.

And with captain Shaun Pearson not far away from full fitness, Keates, who left Paul Rutherford, James Horsfield and Devonte Redmond out of his squad against the Bees, won't be short of options as Wrexham aim to secure a play-off spot.

"We are not a million miles away from having a full group," said Keates.

"A couple more weeks and I think I will have everybody; touch wood nothing else happens.

"We have got the experience with the likes of Jay on the pitch. Just that last nine or 10 minutes, it is massive for us.

"He has trained well the last few days and came back into the group.

"Testament to the group when I named the team at the hotel when I am leaving the likes of Paul Rutherford and James Horsfield out of the group because they train unbelievably well day in, day out and every time they go out there, they give absolutely everything for the football club.

"They are great pros and that is the standards we spoke about at the beginning of the season.

"Them two set standards, they adhere to it every single day and the rest of the group are doing it because it is making hard decisions for myself."

Jordan Ponticelli, yet to score this season, came on as a second half substitute for Dior Angus and Keates added: "If we can get him up to speed, he may just take the baton over."