DEAN KEATES is running the rule over two strikers and the Wrexham boss is "optimistic" he will have added to his attacking options before Saturday's clash with Stockport County at The Racecourse.

Dior Angus was the only recognised striker available for Monday's 1-0 defeat to Torquay which saw Wrexham drop out of the play-offs.

Top scorer Kwame Thomas has ruptured an Achilles' and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Jordan Ponticelli is currently out of action with another hamstring injury and Jake Bickerstaff is on loan at Caernarfon and cannot be recalled.

Only able to sign free agents because Wrexham is a Welsh club, Keates will take a look at two frontmen, who are both available, in training this week.

"I have got two coming in to train with us to have a look at so I am optimistic that we will have at least one by the weekend," said Keates.

"It has to be the right character. I am aware of a few more, two are coming in and we will see how they develop over the course of the next few days.

"Fortunately enough they have played in the league so there are a couple of games I can look back at.

"They will come in and we will see how they slip into the group.

"You are asking a lot for them to come in and see if they can go straight away for 90 minutes."

Keates has spoken with potential targets as he looks for reinforcements to get the promotion challenge back on track.

"There's two ends of the scale," said Keates. "One has been offered who is right at the end of their career and they have not done anything for a long time.

"One ruled himself out who I reached out to. He said he wouldn't do himself justice and he wouldn't do the football club justice so you appreciate the honesty on that.

"One or two others have not played for a long time and last season when they were playing, were quite injury prone.

"On the other side, you have got 19-20 year-olds who have been released from under 23s."