Wrexham have launched their search for a new manager, but today’s priority is their Vanarama National League match against Woking away.
Coaches Andy Davies and Carl Darlington have taken temporary charge of the Dragons and their immediate task is earning three points at the Kingfield Stadium (3pm).
“The players have trained well and we really want to continue the good run we’re on and make it back-to-back wins,” said Davies.
“It’s always a hard game at Woking and both teams will be going all out for three points.
“The players are aware of what has happened (with Dean Keates) but spirits are high. They just want to get out there and play.”
Davies was youth centre manager at Wrexham before stepping up to become Keates’ assistant in October 2016, while Darlington was previously on Wrexham’s coaching staff and was caretaker manager three years ago.
He returned to the Racecourse last year and working at The New Saints.
Wrexham defeated Chester in the cross-border derby last time out, extending their unbeaten run to 13 matches.
They are fourth in the table and intent on earning promotion to the Football League.
The departure of manager Dean Keates to take over at League One Walsall, his home town club, has rocked Wrexham.
Davies, Darlington and their players travelled to Surrey yesterday where they take on 17th-placed Woking, who are without a win in their last five matches.
Cards’ manager Anthony Limbrick, a former England, Southampton and West Ham youth coach, says: “Wrexham are a strong side who have been on a good run of form and have not been beaten since December.
“It will be a tough game, but we will look to attack and work hard.”
This is Wrexham’s 10th successive season in non-League football after being relegated from the Football League in 2008.
The job for Davies and Darlington is to ensure their players remain focused on pressing hard to qualify for the play-offs.
Former Cambridge and Northampton goalkeeper Chris Dunn will start for a Wrexham team who have kept a club record 20 clean sheets this season.
Kevin Roberts, Manny Smith, captain Shaun Pearson and David Raven are likely to form the back four, while Sam Wedgbury and Marcus Kelly, both promoted to League Two with Forest Green last season, will patrol central midfield with Paul Rutherford and Nicky Deverdics either side of them.
Scott Quigley, on loan from Blackpool, and Chris Holroyd lead the attack.
James Jennings completes his two-match ban and is ruled out of the Wrexham’s team.
A statement issued by the Dragons following Keates’ departure, saying: “Walsall FC approached us and triggered the release clause in Dean’s contract in full. Therefore, we were obliged to allow Dean the opportunity to speak to the club that he supports.
“We are in a strong position and our focus remains on achieving promotion to the Football League this season.
“There are nine games of the season to go and, now more than ever, we need the support of each and every fan of Wrexham AFC to rally around our interim management team of Andy Davies and Carl Darlington, the remainder of the staff and the playing squad.
“We are fully focused on achieving three points at Woking on Saturday, while we have already begun the search to replace Dean and intend to make an appointment as quickly as possible.”
It’s D-Day for Davies and Darlington and they are focused on a match against Woking which could prove critical in their run-in.
