INFLUENTIAL midfielder Jim Whitley has verbally agreed a new deal to stay with Wrexham.

Despite interest from Stockport and another unnamed Coca-Cola Championship club, the former Northern Ireland international has decided to remain at the Racecourse after discussions with boss Denis Smith.

He will sign the new deal this, but has taken the weekend to decide just how long he will commit to the Dragons. He has been offered a two-year contract, but may decide to sign for just 12 months.

"It looks more likely that I'm going to take the two-year deal but really I'm still deciding and won't have a definitive decision until after the weekend," he said on Friday.

"But I will be staying at Wrexham. That is for sure. At this stage in my career I need stability and I've just got married so that's become a factor." Whitley has always refused the offer of a two-year deal since he signed for the Dragons in September 2001, but now his personal situation has changed, the 29-year-old may decide to commit himself to the Racecourse for a longer period.

"I suppose the reason why I've not signed the two-year deal before was because I always thought I could do a job in a higher division," Whitley added.

"But I've got to realise that probably might not happen and I've got to sort my future out accordingly.

"I wouldn't have left Wrexham for another club in the same league unless they made me a stupidly high offer. I would have only moved to a higher division and that's why the offer from Stockport wasn't really for me.

"I like being at Wrexham. It's close to my home; they play the right kind of football and the atmosphere is good for me. I'm glad we've been able to work things out."

Smith said that Whitley had indicated to him some time ago that he was willing to stay, but added: "I'm delighted that he is finally going to sign.

"He was my first signing for Wrexham and he has always wanted to stay here. He is a big player for the club and it is an important re-signing from my point of view."

The Dragons manager also revealed that wing-back Paul Edwards had promised him he would give an answer this week as to whether he would accept the offer of a new two-year contract.

Smith said. "I know that he wants to stay, but as with all of them, it is a question of money and what we can afford.

"We have made him a good offer, though, possibly more than we can afford! I am very hopeful he will sign."

* TICKETS for Wrexham prestigious friendly with Liverpool on July 21 go on sale today.

The club are running a ticket hotline on 01978 366388.