WREXHAM FC bosses have insisted the club's future is bright after the league agreed to let the club employ 20 professional players.

The Dragons squad was limited to 18 when the club was placed into administration last year.

The ceiling was raised after administrators reassured the Football League over the club's future at a meeting yesterday.

Wrexham FC spokesman Geraint Parry said: "It was a very positive meeting. With the transfer window we are going up to 20 players of professional standing."

A player of professional standing is one who has tasted first-team football.

At the moment the club is sifting through players to see who will be at the club and who won't next season.

Eleven have guaranteed they will remain. Seven have been offered contracts which two, Carlos Edwards and Stephen Roberts have already turned down. They went to Luton and Doncaster respectively.

The club has debts of £4m and was relegated to Coca-Cola League Two at the end of last season after being deducted 10 points for going into administration.

Wrexham's future at the Racecourse is still unknown. It rests on a new buyer taking over the club.

Administrator David Acland insists the Dragon's will be playing football there next season.

Controversial owner Alex Hamilton gave the club notice to quit the historic ground by the end of next month.

But he has indicated he may let the club stay another 12 months.

In the meantime Wrexham council leader Aled Roberts has not ruled out an option of the compulsory purchase of the ground.

In a statement, Mr Roberts said: "Independent legal advice was sought some months ago but this has not yet been considered by executive board."