DAVIS KEILLOR-DUNN will forever be grateful to Wrexham for giving him the chance to kick-start his career.

The Mansfield Town midfielder, who will come up against his former club at Field Mill this evening, joined the Reds in January 2020.

Keillor-Dunn had been a free agent since leaving Scottish Premiership outfit Ross County by mutual consent the previous September and was brought in by Dean Keates to boost Wrexham’s bid to avoid relegation from the National League.

The 25-year-old became a huge hit, scoring once in six appearances before the 2020-21 ended early because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wrexham beat the drop after the table was calculated using a points per game method, and Keillor-Dunn turned down the offer of a new contract to sign for Oldham Athletic in the Football League.

A spell with Burton Albion following before Keillor-Dunn joined Manfield in January, but he will always be indebted to the Reds for snapping him up following a spell in the wilderness.

“I had six months out leading up to joining Wrexham,” said Keillor-Dunn.

“I got my foot back in the door and it got me back playing so I am very thankful to the club for giving me that opportunity.

“I was gutted that it got cut short because I only ended up playing six games.

“It was just about getting back playing for me, Dean Keates really took a shine to me and I did well.

“I got a couple of goals and assists, got my confidence back which was much needed and I really enjoyed it.

“Obviously I wanted to play more but luckily Wrexham were safe and they have really kicked on.

“It’s a fantastic club with a great set of supporters.”

Keillor-Dunn hasn’t looked back since leaving The Racecourse, enjoying productive spells in the EFL with three different clubs.

“I signed for Oldham in the EFL straight after Wrexham and had a successful time there,” he said.

“It got me a move up to League One with Burton and I scored a few goals there.

“I really enjoyed the way Mansfield were doing things and the project there, and I thought it was right to drop down back to League Two.

“I know the division really well and the aim is to try and get Mansfield out of the division.”

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover at Wrexham after Keillor-Dunn moved on and the Reds clinched promotion back to the Football League following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign.

“From the outside in, it looks very positive,” he said.

“Everyone is going to have their own opinion on it but I think everyone who is connected to Wrexham is over the moon with it.

“It has brought a good style of football and the feel-good factor is back around the town.

“The club always had massive potential to really kick-on and it is nice to see.

“It is nice to see one of my old clubs doing well.”

Keillor-Dunn bagged his eighth goal in 10 League Two outings on Saturday as Mansfield drew 1-1 at Gillingham, leaving the fifth-placed Stags unbeaten in the fourth tier this season.

“It is all about the team,” he said. “I would take not scoring a single goal if the club went up.”

Wrexham are ninth, two points behind Mansfield, and Keillor-Dunn expects both clubs to challenge for promotion this season.

“It’s two teams that are going to be right up there come the end of the season,” he added.

“Both teams are very strong and it’s all down to who performs on the night.”