AN older and wiser Danny Williams rejoined Second Division Wrexham yesterday, three years after being given a free transfer by ex-Racecourse boss Brian Flynn.

The former Wales under-21 international, who became Denis Smith's first signing of the close season, said he was delighted he was being given a second chance by his home-town club.

And Smith was equally happy to have at last captured a player who would have returned 12 months ago had he been available on a free transfer.

"I think he'll give us a presence in midfield. He's got a nasty habit of passing to people on his own side, which is useful, and he scored half a dozen goals from midfield this season, which is something we've been missing," said the Dragons' boss.

"Since I've seen him play I've always fancied him.

"He's my type of player; he's competitive, he can pass and hopefully we'll keep him scoring. Equally importantly, he wants to come back here and I think he's grown up now. We would have signed him last summer but he was still under 24.

"This year we've got him, despite competition from other clubs.

"I woul d hope Danny should be better this time round than during his first spell here because he was a boy when he left and he's come back a man. We need more of them if we can get them."

Williams, 24, who has signed a two-year deal, claimed he had been treading water for 12 months after rejecting a new deal at Kidderminster Harriers.

"I didn't want to stay there and I told the boss that I didn't want to sign a new contract," he said. "I had to get away from Kidderminster and of all places I ended up at Chester City on loan.

"I got a bit of stick for that from my mates but you have to make sacrifices at times. But I was never tempted to join Chester on a full-time basis and after a short-term contract at Bristol Rovers they also offered me a two-year deal.

"But I'd set my heart on coming back here because I've been waiting for 12 months to make this move.

"I'm a lot wiser and, to be honest, I didn't take my football too seriously during my first spell here. I was out with my mates and I didn't concentrate on my game.

"I know that now, so I'm a much fitter lad than I was. I know a bit more and I know I've definitely improved my game. I'm capable of playing at Second Division level, no problem.

"I just want to get in the side and stay there. I'm nearly 25 now so it's been a long road to travel to get back to where I want to be.

"I hope to stay here a long time now and do as well as I can. And I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Signed by Flynn from Liverpool in March 1999, Williams made 47 first-team appearances during the following two seasons but was off-loaded in May 2001. He was immediately snapped up by Jan Molby at Kidderminster on a two-year deal but became disillusioned with the Third Division club when Ian Britton took over as manager.

* SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Michael Ingham, who finished the season on loan at Wrexham, has been included in Northern Ireland's 20-man squad for their tour to the Caribbean at the end of the month.

Ingham has been included because Manchester United's Roy Carroll and Alan Blayney of Southampton are both unavailable.

Northern Ireland will play Barbados on May 30, St Kitts and Nevis on June 2 and Trinidad and Tobago on June 6.