THERE'S MORE TO COME SAYS STEVE
Richard Williams - Wrexham Evening Leader

WREXHAM'S summer signing spree is far from finished.

Four new players - Anthony Williams, Michael Proctor, Conall Murtagh and Richard Hope - have already joined Wrexham and assistant manager Steve Weaver said more signings are being planned to bolster the squad further.

And Weaver and manager Brian Carey have targeted a wide player as well as another midfielder, having already acquired the services of Murtagh from Rhyl.

"Brian is keen to make his own mark on the squad and we still want to bring in more players, perhaps another two or three," said Weaver today.

"I would say we will want to start the season with 24 or 25 players - not including the kids - in the squad. That will offer competition for places because you need that.

"We have not got that much in the wide position and we want a central midfield player. Matty Done did fantastic for us last season and we have also got Josh Johnson and Chris Llewellyn, but if one gets injured we could have a problem.

"Last year we had our share of injuries and we don't want to be worried about that this year."

Murtagh follows in the footsteps of current Wrexham centre-back Steve Evans, and former striker Lee Trundle, in joining the Reds from the Welsh Premier League and the 21-year-old, who has one year remaining on a science course at Manchester University, will be allowed to combine his studies with football.

"Conall is one for the future and we have agreed to let him complete his studies," said Weaver. "Conall gets about the pitch and if he is successful as Lee and Steve we will be very pleased."

Although eager to add to the squad before the new season, which kicks off on August 11, Weaver stressed there will be the opportunity to make loan signings during the campaign.

However, having seen Wrexham make 14 loan signings in total during the whole of last term, Weaver admitted that total was too big.

"We will be bringing in loan players during the season but it won't be in double figures like last season," said Weaver. "That was too many and down to injuries. You should not have to make that many loan signings and we want a big enough squad going into the season."

And Weaver said that the rebuilding process should give supporters fresh heart after seeing the Reds struggle at the wrong end of League Two last season.

"We are looking stronger now, the signings have got good credentials and we are still looking at other players," said Weaver. "After last season, the fans have to have something to be optimistic about. People can see we are working hard and having a go here."

Weaver also revealed that none of Wrexham's contracted players have been the subject of bids from other clubs.

Twelve players have gone into the summer break under contract at The Racecourse and there has been speculation that some of those could attract interest from other clubs but Weaver said that had not been the case.

"No-one has come in for any of our players," added Weaver. "Everyone is looking at who is out of contract and available on a free transfer."

New signing Hope, who joined Wrexham on a three-year deal at the weekend following the centre-back's release by Shrewsbury Town, yesterday passed a medical. The medical was delayed until club physio Mel Pejic returned from his duties with Wales.

Hope only led Shrewsbury out at Wembley 10 days ago prior to his release, but the Shropshire outfit lost the League Two play-off final against Bristol Rovers, and the 28-year-old is now looking forward to a well earned break.

"I have not had a chance to get away yet because of what has happened and I am looking forward to a break now before getting ready for the new season," said Hope.

FOSTER SUFFERS CRUCIATE BLOW
Simon Stone - PA Sport Chief Football Writer

Ben Foster's hopes of ousting Edwin van der Sar as Manchester United's first-choice keeper next season are in tatters after it was confirmed the England international requires surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The 24-year-old had been suffering knee problems during the latter half of last season, which he spent on loan at Watford.

And he pulled out of the England B international with Albania at the back end of last month to undergo tests.

Now Foster's worst fears have been realised, with United releasing more specific details of an injury which will keep sidelined for months.

"Ben Foster has a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee and will require an operation in two to three weeks' time," a United spokesperson told the club's website.

In a statement, the club said: "The injury was then jointly assessed by United and England's medical staff after the goalkeeper reported for international duty at the end of May.

"While the Reds' medical staff have not put a timescale on the 24-year-old's return to action, he is likely to spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines."

It is almost certain to be the early months of 2008 before Foster is in action again.

The injury is a bitter blow to Foster, who has been outstanding in two seasons at Watford and had already spoken optimistically about his chances of succeeding van der Sar as Sir Alex Ferguson's number one for the Premiership champions next term.

If Foster had succeeded in that aim, he could easily have been vying with Paul Robinson for the England slot as well.

Instead, the former Stoke man now faces months of rehabilitation.

While he will be bolstered by the knowledge plenty of United players, including Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wes Brown, have battled back from similar injuries, it is still a gloomy way to end the campaign.

The news also means Tomasz Kuszczak, who spent last term as Van der Sar's understudy, is now virtually certain to remain at Old Trafford rather than go out on loan as some pundits had predicted.