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Keepers handed new deals
03 March 2010
By Richard
Williams - The
Leader
Sam Russell is the latest Wrexham player who will be
offered a new deal by Dean Saunders.
Goalkeeper Russell, like the majority of his
team-mates, is out of contract in the summer but
Saunders is keen to retain the services of the
27-year-old who joined Wrexham last summer following
his release by Rochdale.
Installed as first choice custodion, Russell
dislocated his elbow in only the fourth game of the
season, the 2-1 defeat against Kettering Town on
August 22, but returned to the side in December
after making a full recovery.
And Saunders has been pleased with the contribution
of Russell, who has kept seven clean sheets in 15
appearances.
“I am going to make Sam an offer,” he said. “Sam had
a bad injury, had to work hard and be positive.
“But he got his chance and has done well. Sam has
got drive, kicks the ball brilliantly – as good as
anyone – but he has got to keep up those standards
and work on all parts of his game.”
With Russell sidelined for nearly four months, Chris
Maxwell took over between the posts and he kept ten
clean sheets in 21 outings.
That excellent form led to Saunders offering Maxwell
a contract extension and he has now agreed to extend
his stay at The Racecourse until the end of next
season.
“It is great news he has signed,” said Saunders.
“Chris is still only 19 and has done better than
everyone thought he would do. He made a few mistakes
but they all do. In general, he has done well but he
has still got a lot of improving to do.
“Chris has got a great attitude and will have a good
future. If he keeps working, listening and
improving, he can go on and do better things.”
Saunders has also offered new deals to Frank
Sinclair, Neil Taylor and Andy Fleming, but with the
majority of his squad out of contract in the summer,
the Reds’ boss said: “The rest are fighting for
contracts.”
Russell is currently keeping Maxwell out of the side
and Saunders believes that healthy competition can
only benefit Wrexham.
“It is good competition between Chris and Sam,” said
Saunders. “If Sam takes his foot off the pedal,
Chris will be back in, they are there to push each
other which is good for us.
“They are working with Michael Oakes and it
brilliant for them to have a coach like him.
“We have kept 17 clean sheets – it is at the other
end we have got to improve.”
Wrexham have struggled in front of goal this season
and have only scored 31 goals in 31 league games.
Striker Gareth Taylor is top of the scoring charts
with ten goals in all competitions but he suffered a
recurrence of an ankle injury in last Tuesday’s
defeat against Stevenage Borough.
But Saunders, who has only been able to pair Taylor
in attack on two occasions with transfer window
signing Andy Mangan, hopes the former Wales
international is available for Saturday’s clash
against Ebbsfleet United at The Racecourse.
“Gareth has had two knocks in his comeback games now
and is back to square one,” said Saunders.
“It has been frustrating not being able to play
Gareth together with Andy but hopefully he will okay
for Saturday.
“Gareth has still played 20-odd games so far which
is a good return, but he will want to get 20 goals.
“It’s been difficult for him with the set-backs but
Gareth is a good pro and really good with the
younger players.
“We just can’t rely on Andy to do everything
though.”
Wrexham’s goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Salisbury
City came from Christian Smith and Saunders was
pleased to see the midfielder rewarded for his
efforts.
“I was pleased with Christian getting a goal,” added
Saunders. “He made five or six runs into the box in
the first half and the same in the second half, and
eventually he got on the end of one.”
Saunders is assessing the fitness of Silvio Spann
who limped off with a hamstring problem at
Salisbury, but Sinclair and Lamine Sakho have both
returned to training.
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