DENIS Smith will sit down with his out-of-contract players today and attempt to persuade them to help Wrexham make an instant return to League One, writes Paul Whee-lock .

The boss has only eight members of his squad on deals lasting beyond the summer. Yet even though the Dragons will be playing in England's bottom professional tier next season, he's optimistic they will put pen to paper.

He said: 'I'm seeing all the lads who are out of contract on Friday and hopefully I'll be able to keep the majority of them.

'They say they want to stay but it depends on what offers come in.'

Smith believes his budget will be similar to the one he had for 2004-05, despite the club's administration and salary-capping measures that come with relegation to League Two. And one of his first jobs will be to convince Steve Roberts to stay after it emerged Doncaster were on the verge of teaming the 25-year-old Welsh international up with his older brother Neil.

There's been more positive vibes coming from wing-back Carlos Edwards, who League One champions Luton are chasing, and top goalscorer Juan

Ugarte, who Welsh rivals Cardiff would like to sign.

The Basque hitman netted his 25th of the season in Wednesday's 2-1 FAW Premier Cup final defeat to Swansea in the last game at the Vetch Field.

Ugarte's strike on the hour mark was cancelled out eight minutes later by a Shaun Pejic own goal, before Andy Robinson fired the 76th-minute winner for the Swans.

The loss came on the back of Saturday's final league fixture of the league campaign as Wrexham went down 1-0 to Huddersfield.

The game was feared to be the last at the Racecourse, with owner Alex Hamilton threatening to evict the Reds from their home from July 21.

However, the club's administrators, David Acland and Steven Williams, say Hamilton would have to take legal action against them if he wants to go ahead with his plans. Acland said he's confident the controversial figure will not do that, meaning football will continue at the Racecourse for at least another 12 months.

It was news which boosted boss Smith, who is still bitter at the Football League's decision to dock his side 10 points after going into administration - a deduction that ultimately cost them their place in League One.

But he has no complaints over the loyalty of his team's supporters, who once again behaved impeccably both on Saturday and Wednesday.

He said: 'They've been superb all season. They've consistently backed us to the hilt and they've shown again why this club must survive.

'It looks like we'll still be at the Race-course for another 12 months and that gives us something to build on.'

Smith, who is out of contract himself but says he wants to stay as manager, also paid tribute to 19-year-old defender Craig Morgan, who has been called up to the Wales squad for a six-day training session in Spain.

He said: 'Craig has done very well this season and he's getting there in terms of being a good player.

'I think this recognition is deserved and I'm very pleased for him.'