MARK CREIGHTON insists Dean Keates does not have "bridges to build" with Wrexham supporters after returning to The Racecourse for a second spell as manager.

Keates left Wrexham to take charge of hometown club Walsall in March 2018 with the Reds challenging for promotion but Andy Davies' side failed to secure a play-off spot.

Appointed as successor to Bryan Hughes, who was sacked following Wrexham's poor start to the season, former Reds captain Keates said in his press conference that he will have to win over some supporters.

But Creighton fully understands why his former Wrexham team-mate left for Walsall, who were then in League One.

"Dean would have been stupid not to take it," said Creighton.

"Would the Wrexham fans have kicked up as much stick if it was halfway through the season? Probably not.

"The trouble was it came at such an important time but Dean had to make that decision.

"Do you miss that opportunity and potentially never get that opportunity again.

"He won promotion there, it was his hometown club, why wouldn't he go?

"In any walk of life, anybody wants to better themselves and as much people don't like to hear it, Walsall are a bigger club than Wrexham at the moment and that is why he went there.

"I don't think Dean has got bridges to build. I am a fan of Wrexham and he didn't burn any bridges with me because I understand the logic behind his decision.

"All he needs to do is go in and do what he did last time as manager."

Creighton feels Keates was the "right option" to succeed Hughes.

"As soon as the opportunity came up, I half knew it would be Dean," said Creighton.

"I've seen people spouting about it's the easy option, this, that and the other, but for me it is the right option.

"He came in and steadied the ship three years ago after Gary Mills when the club was in free-fall."

Keates initially took the reigns in October 2016 after Gary Mills was sacked and guided Wrexham to safety before mounting a promotion push the following season.

Grinding out 1-0 victories were a feature of Keates' spell in the hotseat but Creighton says any win will do with Wrexham currently at the wrong end of the table.

"You read people's thoughts and they don't want to see dull football but they were winning," said Creighton.

"You ask any supporter now would you take 1-0 wins? Of course you would.

"Everyone wants to be entertained but you can't always be entertained, especially in this league.

"One thing Dean can do is organise and get them to be effective in this league.

"And if he does well, hopefully next season he can rebuild a little bit and kick-on but I personally think there's a very good squad of players there.

"They need a bit of guidance by the looks of it and whether that is a complete change of style, who knows."

Creighton couldn't understand why the club turned to Hughes, who had limited managerial experience, in February.

Wrexham reached the play-offs, where they lost to Eastleigh in the eliminator, but fans favourite Creighton, a regular at The Racecourse, has been far from impressed by what he has seen this season despite Hughes assembling a squad that doesn't lack quality.

"If I'm being completely honest I was very surprised Bryan got the job in the first place," said Creighton.

"There were a lot more experienced candidates out there that would have fitted the bill a little bit better, but their decision was made.

"He did okay at first but the team was well set-up and we were coming towards the end of the season so the players already knew their roles and responsibilities, it was just a case of maintaining that.

"But I have watched them a few times this season and there never seems to be an identity about Wrexham and how they play.

"All of us want the club to do well but his time had come and changes had to be made."