SMITH BRINGS LLEWELLYN BACK TO RACECOURSE
Darren Devine - Western Mail

WREXHAM have re-signed former striker Chris Llewellyn from Hartlepool United after the player struggled to make an impact in the North East.

Llewellyn, 26, signed a two-year deal with the Red Dragons - the club he left last summer to join Hartlepool after Denis Smith's team were relegated to League Two.

The Welshman, who played either up front or in midfield for Hartlepool, made 29 league appearances for the North East club, but failed to score.

But Wrexham boss Smith said Llewellyn has a tremendous work ethic and will be one of the most versatile players at the club.

"He never misses training or matches and is able to play out wide, in central midfield or up front. He's a talented lad, who is also Welsh."

Smith said he was unconcerned about the player's goalscoring form as he is being brought back to the Racecourse as a midfielder rather than a striker.

Striker Jon Walters left the club last week for arch rivals Chester City, but Smith insisted Llewellyn has not been brought in as his replacement.

"I've brought him back as a wide player. I've got another one lined up to do that."

Shaun Pejic has also committed himself for another season after fellow defender Andy Holt quit the club earlier this week for newly-promoted Northampton.

McEVILLY SORRY FOR BRADFORD SAGA
BBC Sport

"I want to say sorry to all the fans that have stood by me. I nearly turned my back on them," he told BBC Sport.

"I hope they understand I wasn't turning my back to join a team in the same league as Wrexham - I wanted to see if I could play at a higher level."

McEvilly signed a new two-year deal with Wrexham on Wednesday after Bradford delayed over a contract offer.

The former Premiership side had concerns over McEvilly's foot, which he broke twice in the same place in the space of four months last season.

Wrexham manager Denis Smith accepted there is an element of risk in giving McEvilly a long-term contract, but said he was confident the striker would come good.

"Of course it's a gamble signing Lee but it's a gamble that I am more than willing to take," said Smith.

"Lee has proven to me that he can score goals and I am absolutely certain that he will get even better in the future."

McEvilly, though, has rejected any doubts over his fitness by stressing he will be fully fit for the start of the season.

"I had a medical at Bradford and passed it, but they had a concern about my foot," said McEvilly, who scored eight goals in 25 appearances for Wrexham last season after joining from Conference side Accrington Stanley.

"They wanted to see me in training rather than sign on now, so I decided against that and signed for Wrexham.

"It was a big decision, but the gaffer has got a good pedigree in bringing strikers through and maybe he can do that with me.

"I had a difficult season last season, but hopefully this season I'll be injury-free.

"I thought I owed something to the gaffer. If he can get the best out of me, Wrexham will get the best out of me."

FOOTBALL'S COMING HOME! AND IN OUR OWN BACKYARD
The Chronicle

SENIOR international football is returning to the Racecourse.

Wrexham's ground will play host to a friendly between Wales and Liechtenstein on Tuesday, November 14.

It will be the first time the Principality have played at the home of the Dragons for more than two years.

Reds secretary Geraint Parry said: 'It's great recognition for the club, and great news for football fans across North Wales. For most Wales games supporters have to make the long trip south, so this is an ideal opportunity for them to show their support without having to travel so far.'

Meanwhile, the comings and goings at Wrexham took a twist for the bizarre this week.

The out-of-contract Lee McEvilly looked set to join fellow forward Jon Walters through the exit door when he agreed a move to League One's Bradford. The 24-year-old Northern Ireland international was unveiled at Valley Parade, only for the deal to fall through because the Bantams feared the foot injury McEvilly sustained last season had not healed properly.

Dragons boss Denis Smith had no concerns over his fitness though, and handed him a two-year-contract McEvilly is likely to be joined at the Reds by fans' favourite Juan Ugarte.

The Basque hitman should sign up once he returns from Spain, where he has been having an operation on his knee, while an unnamed Championship front-runner is also on Smith's wish-list, as is former Aston Villa right-winger Jamie Ward.

Definite signings are defenders Steve Evans and Ryan Valentine. The latter will replace left-back Andy Holt, who rejected a new deal in a favour of a move to Northampton of League One. However, Danny Williams - last season's player of the year - and Mark Jones - last season's top-scorer - have committed their future for a further two years, while teenage strikers Marc Williams and Jamie Reed have been placed on first-team contracts.

Meanwhile, tickets are on sale for the Dragons' glamour pre-season home friendly with Liverpool on Saturday, July 15 (3pm). The game is an all-ticket affair.

Liverpool reserves will play their second-string games at the Racecourse for a third successive season. That means Wrexham's reserves will continue to play their matches at Buckley Town's Globe Way.

A Dragons spokesperson said: 'Everyone at Globe Way was outstanding in their co-operation last year and we all look forward to continuing a very strong partnership in the months ahead.'