WREXHAM could find themselves with just four players under contract this summer - if the current ownership battle is not resolved soon.

The stark warning comes from Race-course manager Denis Smith, who is already fielding calls from agents representing several members of his present squad with regard to their futures.

It's three weeks since a Court of Appeal hearing to decide whether Cheshire property developer Alex Hamilton can contest a High Court ruling that ownership of the Racecourse rests with the League Two club and in the absence so far of a judgement Smith said the ongoing uncertainty meant his hands were tied.

Only captain Darren Ferguson, together with Dennis Lawrence, Mark Jones and Mike Ingham, have deals that run beyond the end of the season and the Racecourse boss, who has lost key players in each of the previous two summers, fears he is powerless to prevent another mass exodus.

"From the end of January players start thinking about where they will be the following season and already I should be talking to their agents in order to sort out what's going to happen in the summer," he said.

"I should also be talking about those players at other clubs I would like to bring in, but that's not possible either.

"I keep telling my players that we'll have the right outcome from the court case and that the club's future is bright, because that's what I honestly believe, but I also understand they have to safeguard their futures."

Wrexham's play-off hopes were not severely dented by Saturday's 2-2 draw at Barnet, which was the anniversary of the club's defeat at Exeter City in the last promotion season three years ago.

From that point on the Dragons embarked on a 14-match unbeaten run to win automatic promotion and Smith, whose side entertain Bury at the Racecourse on Saturday, said: "We need to see if we can do

that again this year. "I believe we are capable of such a run, but to do it we need to show a bit more consistency than we have so far managed."

Striker Lee McEvilly had suffered a setback in his recovery from a broken bone in his foot and will see a specialist tomorrow.

Elsewhere, striker Jon Walters (fractured cheekbone) will step up his training regime this week and defender Lee Roche is to have an injection in a bid to cure his ongoing groin problem.

Meanwhile, Wrexham's derby clash with Chester City at the Racecourse on Sunday March 26 (12 noon) is an all-ticket match and the club has confirmed there will be no sales on the day.

Season ticket-holders do not need to buy in advance but all other spectators must be in possession of a ticket to gain entrance.

* WREXHAM youngsters Neil Taylor and Michael Cronshaw have been selected for the Wales under 17 squad for the Uefa Championship qualifying tournament in Cyprus later this month. Wales play Spain, Moldova and the host nation.