BRYAN HUGHES could enter the loan market as he puts the finishing touches to his Wrexham squad for the 2019-20 season.

Hughes is preparing for the Reds' 12th campaign in non-league and he currently has 20 players under contract, although none have been brought in on loan.

That is in stark contrast to last term when Sam Ricketts, the first of three managers to serve Wrexham, at one stage had seven players - Rob Lainton, Brad Walker, Jordan Maguire-Drew, Stuart Beavon, Rekeil Pyke, Freddie Hinds and Scott Burgess - on temporary deals.

Hughes, mindful of the fact he can only name five loanees in his matchday squad, won't be rivalling that amount but is set to make a temporary addition or two with his final few signings.

"You have got to be careful with loans because you can only have five in your matchday squad," said Hughes.

"I don't want to get too many. The nucleus of the team is people who have signed and are under contract; they are committed to the club which is important.

"With loans, on paper you know what you are going to get but they don't always work out and that is the same at every club.

"It is something I am going to be looking at and I am sure one or two will come in on loan to give us more competition and to help us in case of injuries."

Hughes admits he might have to bide his time when it comes to adding to his squad with loan signings.

"I have still got a few things in the pipe-line," said Hughes.

"If it is potential loans it might take us a little bit into pre-season because their parent clubs want to have a look at them.

"It is just a waiting game on certain people but I have identified targets that I want to bring in and working hard behind the scenes to try and get them."

Ricketts, Hughes and Graham Barrow - the three managers who led Wrexham in 2018-19 - made further loan signings in the shape of Bobby Grant, Ben Tollitt, Cole Stockton, Jermaine McGlashan and Anthony Spyrou.

It means 12 loan players joined the club during the campaign, with Lainton and Grant going on to make the move permanent.

The duo, and their team-mates, will be in unchartered territory next season as Wrexham will be involved in a third knock-out competition after qualifying for the Scottish Challenge Cup.

From 2018-19, the competition was expanded with the two highest ranked teams still remaining in the National League to take part from the second round, so the Reds and Solihull Moors will feature for the first time.

Hughes would like to do well in the competition but insists trying to win promotion remains the priority as Wrexham attempt to end their Football League exile dating back to 2008.

"Our full focus is on the league," said Hughes.

"If we have a run in it, we have a run in it, and we will try and go as far as we can.

"It is a chance to keep winning runs going and hopefully perform well."