WREXHAM'S Dennis Lawrence is now allowed to jet back into the country to sign his contract extension after he was granted a new work permit yesterday.

The giant defender had to remain in his native Trinidad while Wrexham boss Denis Smith, coach Joey Jones and agent Mike Berry fought his case at a hearing in Sheffield yesterday.

But now he has unanimously been granted an extension by a committee which included ex-Everton stalwart David Watson and Liverpool man David Fairclough, he is able to fly back in for pre-season training.

And the defender hopes to sign his new three-year contract extension tomorrow.

Speaking from Trinidad yesterday, Lawrence said: "I'm absolutely delighted by the news and raring to get back into the country and start pre-season training.

"I was a bit apprehensive because if we failed I'd have had to stay here in Trinidad and miss some of the pre-season. But now it's all been taken care of I'll hopefully sign my new deal on Friday."

And the decision was hailed by boss Smith, who admitted in the hearing that he didn't rate the giant defender when he first took over at the Racecourse, before the ex-army recruit showed the mental resolve to become one of his key players.

"His progress over the last couple of years he has been phenomenal," said Smith. "He's made massive strides.

"But everyone has room for improvement so I hope Dennis can go on to get even better for us.

"He's developed into a key man in our side and if he hadn't have got his work permit I would have had to seriously revise my thinking for next season. I might even have had to look at changing our system.

"To be honest, we thought all along that he would get his work permit but it's nice to actually know for certain."

Meanwhile, Wrexham's squad should soon be bolstered by the arrival of a goal-keeper to challenge first-choice Andy Dibble.

The player Smith wants returns from holiday tomorrow, but the Wrexham boss refused to reveal his identity for fear of the deal being hijacked by rival clubs.

"Other teams are interested in him but I'm fairly confident we've got a deal sorted," said Smith.

"I should be in a position to say more by the start of next week."