22 June 2023 , 09:50
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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed he is largely happy with his squad, but suggested more quality is needed ahead of a first EFL season in 15 years.
The Red Dragons won promotion last term, finishing top of the National League with a huge return of 111 points. They will kick off their new campaign in League Two against MK Dons, who were relegated from the division above last season.
Owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have allowed the Welsh side to invest in talents from further up the pyramid, with former England keeper Ben Foster and ex-Charlton defender Eoghan O'Connell among those to arrive midway through the promotion campaign. Wrexham have been linked with a number of ambitious moves, but Parkinson recognises some of the current squad were signed with higher-level football in mind.
"When I took over a couple of years ago, the aim was to build a squad which was capable of going on a journey with the club," Parkinson told Sky Sports. "We've tried to sign players from a higher level, or players like we've done from the National League who we believe can develop with the club.
"We're in a strong position, and as every manager will say, you always want to add some quality into what you've already got. However, I feel the squad as it stands is a strong one and I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of the lads develop with the team next season."
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One of the big-name players linked with a move to the Racecourse Ground is Nick Powell. The attacking midfielder played Premier League and Champions League football for Manchester United, and is now a free agent with his Stoke contract expiring this summer.
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"We're ambitious and we're certainly not getting carried away with ourselves. We know it's going to be a tough league with some very good sides in it, but of course ourselves and Notts County got a great points return last year in the National League and we both will be looking to be right up there.
"But from our own point of view, we're ambitious and the squad are very motivated to go and have a successful season next year." Parkinson was also asked whether the owners were excited about the challenge, and shed some more light on the situation while saying he "wouldn't be surprised" to see Reynolds and McElhenney at the opening game of the new season.
"The aim when they bought the club was to get this fantastic football club back into the EFL," he began. "It's been 15 years of pain for our supporters and we've managed to achieve [promotion] and now we can really relish the challenge the EFL brings."