FIT-AGAIN midfielder Luke Summerfield could not wait for the start of pre-season training and says manager Bryan Hughes was a huge factor in extending his Racecourse stay.

The 31-year-old joined Wrexham last summer and was an influential figure as he helped the Reds emerge as title contenders.

However, a calf injury sustained in the 1-0 win over Maidenhead on January 26 - Graham Barrow's last game as manager - meant Summerfield missed more than two months before featuring in the final four games ahead of the play-offs.

Summerfield limped off with a knee injury in the eliminator defeat against Eastleigh but he was offered a new deal by Bryan Hughes and put pen to paper on a one-year contract after working towards full fitness.

"It's been a hectic summer," said Summerfield.

"I have been working very hard since the play-off game to get it right, doing as much as I can, but I am very happy with where I am.

"I was looking forward to getting back in and getting going again."

Summerfield, who made 34 league appearances, scoring once goal, as well as contributing with a host of assists, has not been available for selection for most of the time since Hughes took charge in February but says the Reds' boss was key to him committing his future to Wrexham.

"Sam Ricketts brought me in and I was ecstatic," said Summerfield. "I jumped at the option to come and work for Sam and play for Wrexham.

"Managers change throughout a season and Wrexham was no different. The gaffer has come in and he has been superb with me.

"I have not played as much as I wanted to under him last season with the injury I had and not finishing the play-off game but I am looking forward to working with him from the start of pre-season.

"You don't want to play at a club where you are not wanted and the gaffer made it clear at the end of the season that he wants me in his plans so I was more than happy to get it over the line."

Summerfield says the disappointment of losing in the play-offs will only spur the players on to try and clinch promotion when Wrexham begin a 12th campaign in non-league.

"It was a turbulent season, we had a lot going on off the field," said Summerfield.

"We started the season really well and then like every other team, we had a bit of a blip and the change in managers.

"But as a group of players, we couldn't have done much more.

"We worked our socks off from the first game to the last game, and that showed in the play-off game. "We did everything but score but that is football; somebody has got to lose, it was just disappointing that it was us.

"Things like that you have got to learn from."

Summerfield added: "We can take positives from the season as a whole but the disappointment from the play-off game will drive us forward and hopefully breed success next season. "All footballers want to be successful and how last season finished, we all think there is unfinished business in this league.

"I just want to do as well as I can on a personal level and hopefully help Wrexham achieve what they want to achieve and get promoted, which is the most important thing."