WREXHAM manager Denis Smith yesterday confirmed he has released four players as part of his plans to rebuild a squad capable of mounting a realistic promotion bid next season.

Dave Bayliss, Alex Smith, Dean Bennett and Jim Whitley have not been offered new contracts and the Dragons boss has been working hard to bring in replacements, so far with little concrete success.

Smith said both Whitley and Bennett had been unfortunate with injuries during the past two seasons, giving him little option but to dispense with their services.

"Jim has had a tough time, but hopefully the latest operation he's had will sort out his knee problem and he'll be back with us for pre-season training so he can get himself fit and find a club," added the Racecourse boss.

"Dean, who was exactly the sort of player I was looking for, picked up a lot of injuries during his two years with us and I don't think we ever saw quite what he is capable of.

"Maybe a change of scene will bring about a change in his fortunes as well."

With only four players currently under contract in Darren Ferguson, Dennis Lawrence, Mark Jones and Mike Ingham, the Racecourse boss has yet to hear about their plans from Andy Holt, Danny Williams, Jon Walters, Lee McEvilly, Lee Roche, Matt Crowell, Shaun Pejic, Levi Mackin and Simon Spender.

But he is optimistic that the majority of them will accept the terms they have been offered, especially since the club's off-field problems have largely been resolved following last week's meetings of creditors and shareholders.

Former TNS central defender Steve Evans, who will be joining the club on a free transfer at the beginning of next month, is already preparing for the step-up to league football by training three times a week at Colliers Park.

More new faces, though, are proving difficult to tie down.

"If it's not players away on holiday, it's their agents or, in some cases, managers," said the Dragons boss.

"I've spoken to a couple of people I'm interested in signing, but it's the time of year when everyone plays their cards close to their chests and it means people like me have to be patient."

Smith has finalised plans for a five-day pre-season trip to Northern Ireland from July 21.

Based in Newcastle in the province, Wrexham will play Intertoto Cup qualifiers Dungannon on Saturday July 22 and Mike Ingham's former club Cliftonville on Tuesday, July 25.

There is a possibility of a third game, sandwiched in on the Monday, and the squad will return to the mainland on the Wednesday.

Other friendlies lined up include Liverpool and Manchester City at the Racecourse on July 15 and 19 respectively, followed by a trip to Port Vale on July 29.