DENIS SMITH believes Steve Evans can play his league football at a much higher level – but will fight to the end to stop Wrexham being relegated.

The former Wrexham boss, who was sacked in January, predicted the defender would play for Wales when he signed him for the Dragons from reigning Welsh Premier champions The New Saints last summer.

Since then Evans has played three times for John Toshack’s side, including Saturday’s 1-0 Euro 2008 qualifying defeat to the Republic of Ireland, when the defender was arguably Wales’ best player as he made his competitive debut.

“Everybody laughed at me when I said he’d play for Wales,” said Smith yesterday. “But the lad’s got potential.

“He’s got everything to go on and play at a higher level in the league than he is doing at the moment. Obviously he’s playing at international level and there’s no higher level than that.”

Evans gave a typical no-nonsense performance against Ireland, during which he marked Robbie Keane out of the game until the Tottenham striker drifted to the other side of the pitch to exploit weaker areas of the Wales defence.

But Smith says anyone who thinks Evans is just a big man who can clear his lines is underestimating his talent.

“You’ve got a problem when you’re 6ft 4in that everybody thinks you just kick it and head it away,” said Smith.

“But if you think that about Steve you’re underestimating him – he can play a lot.”

Evans misses Saturday’s home League Two clash with Mansfield, as he serves the last game of a five-match ban for picking up his third red card of the season in the 3-1 Racecourse defeat to Shrewsbury last month. His previous two came at Chester City and at fellow strugglers Boston United.

Smith said the defender, now 28, must cut out such costly behaviour if he is to realise his full potential.

“He’s got to get his club form right – he’s been sent off too many times this season, but that’s because he’s desperate to do well,” he said.

“He’s determined to make up for lost time. At his age, though, these things are going to count against him, and there’s a lot of work still to be done on him.

“He’s acquitted himself very well at international level, and at league level I was delighted with the way he performed, but he knows what he has to do to progress.

“People always expect new people who are around to do things right straight away, but it’s a massive change for him playing in the Football League, and an even bigger change to playing at international level.”

Evans will be available again for Wrexham for the relegation six-pointer at Macclesfield a week on Saturday, and Smith said the defender will give his all to help Brian Carey’s side as they face a fight to stay in the Football League.

“He’s got to get back in the side now and I’m sure he’ll be desperate for them to stay up,” he added. “People like Steve and Ryan Valentine, the local lads, will be heartbroken if Wrexham go down.”

Meanwhile, Smith – who led Wrexham to the LDV Vans Trophy, one promotion and two relegations during his time at the Racecourse – said he was itching to get back into management and hoped to be back in football for next season.

“I’ll probably have to wait until the summer now – but who knows, the phone could ring this afternoon.

“I’ve done it for 25 years and this business changes daily, but I would hope that next season I’ll end up managing at the highest level I possibly can.

“I’d like to think I’ve got another five years in me yet.”