BRYAN HUGHES believes signing for Wrexham is an attractive proposition and he can attract quality players that will help the Reds mount another promotion challenge next season.

Wrexham finished fourth with 84 points to secure a place in the National League play-offs for the first time in six years but Hughes' side were beaten 1-0 by Eastleigh in the eliminator.

Hughes is preparing Wrexham for a 12th season in the fifth tier and five players - Kevin Roberts, Chris Holroyd, Nicky Deverdics, Luke Simpson and Kemy Agustien - have been released to make room for new signings needed to boost the Reds' chances of returning to the Football League.

Potential targets have been identified and Hughes is optimistic players will be eager to come to The Racecourse.

“I am making enquiries and in contact,” said Hughes. “Some teams are still playing, there have been play-off games going on all around the country so it has been hard to try and nail a few things down.

"But there are going to be plenty of people out of contract who are going to be searching for clubs and we are a big attraction.

"We are a big club with a big fanbase; we have got great support and we are a team on the up - we are going places.

"We had a lot of progression this year and I want to build on that for next year."

Hughes is also hoping for decisions from five players who have been offered new deals.

Paul Rutherford and Doug Tharme have already penned one year deals and Hughes is hopeful that player of the season Rob Lainton, James Jennings, Mark Carrington, Luke Summerfield and Kieran Kennedy will agree to stay.

“It would be wrong of me to say I am close to new signings, the first thing is to make sure if the players I have offered contracts to are staying," said Hughes.

"They will go away and think about it. I am sure they will have other suitors, we have had a fantastic season.

"A couple have left as well so it just provides me with other options to bring people in.

"We will address it once I have spoken to some of the players again to see what their thoughts are about staying.

“Once that is sorted, I can see where we need to strengthen and get people who can improve us.

"The majority were very keen when we had our first discussions so I am really hopeful that the nucleus of the squad will stay, and then it is just about adding in certain areas where we think we can go one better next year."

Nine players - Christian Dibble, Manny Smith, Shaun Pearson, Jake Lawlor, Luke Young, Akil Wright, Mike Fondop, Jason Oswell and Bobby Grant, who has exercised an option to remain at The Racecourse - were already under contract for next season.

Rutherford and Tharme have now committed their futures while youngsters Matty Sargent and Jack Thorn have signed their first professional contracts and will join the senior ranks in 2019-20.