PHIL PARKINSON has spoken about his decision to offer new contracts to centre-back Harry Lennon and striker Jake Bickerstaff.

Although eight players were released after Wrexham missed out on promotion and are now planning for a 15th campaign in non-league, Lennon and Bickerstaff have deals on the table.

Lennon arrived at The Racecourse last summer following an injury-plagued spell with Southend United and the defender caught the eye but a back problem brought an early end to his season.

The 27-year-old made 17 league appearances for the Reds - the last run-out came in the 2-1 win at Yeovil on January 22 - but Parkinson has offered Lennon a new contract to give him time to prove his fitness for the 2022-23 campaign.

"When Harry came to us, there was a question mark," said Parkinson.

"He'd had a knee problem and he came through that, his knee was great.

"Then he was very unfortunate to have a problem with his back.

"We all feel that if Harry has time to get right, he can get back to where he was and I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be able to do that."

The club have exercised the option in Bickerstaff’s contract to extend his registration for the upcoming season.

A product of the youth academy, the striker made his first-team debut in September 2019, scoring against Ayr United in the Scottish Challenge Cup.

The 20-year-old made his his league debut as a substitute against Boreham Wood on the opening day of the 2020-21 season before enjoying a successful loan with Cymru Premier outfit Caernarfon Town.

Although he didn't feature for Wrexham in 2021-22 and ended the campaign on loan at Northern Premier League Premier Division side Nantwich, Parkinson has seen enough in Bickerstaff to believe he deserves another chance to show what he can do.

"I felt Jake was doing well last pre-season," said Parkinson.

"Even though it was a very fragmented pre-season for many reasons, he caught our eye with his finishing.

"He didn't secure the loan move we wanted for him in the first window so it was difficult for him in the first part of the season.

"But he went away and had another period of men's football, and he has got the opportunity to come back in pre-season and see where he is in terms of our squad; if not, we will look to step him up with another progression on his loans."