Wrexham boss Parkinson responds to Cherif links

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson says he is concentrating on the players he currently has at his disposal amid links to Angers forward Sidiki Cherif.

The Red Dragons made 13 signings in the summer but are yet to add to their squad during the January transfer window.

They have been linked with a swoop for Cherif, who is also attracting interest from Premier League Crystal Palace.

"There's lots of names we get linked with and some have got some truth and some of them haven't," said Parkinson.

"At this stage of the window there's inquiries, there's talks going on. Sometimes they come to fruition and sometimes they don't, that's all I can say on any transfer targets at the moment.

"I'm firmly firmly concentrating on the players we've got."

Cherif - who can operate as a number nine or as a winger - has netted four goals in 18 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season.

Signings have not been pressing as Parkinson's squad options are continuing to be bolstered by the returns of players from injury - with the likes of Danny Ward, Andy Cannon, Lewis Brunt and Aaron James all closer to being available.

But while the Wrexham manager feels exits are more likely at present, Parkinson did not rule out the possibility of adding to his squad before the 19:00 GMT deadline on Monday, 2 February.

"To bring plays in we've got to move players out," added Parkinson.

"I'm focusing on the likes of Brunts, Aaron James, players like that. Lewis O'Brien played so well the other night, Sam Smith, who's only just really got back in the team recently.

"So we've got lots of good options of players who've got so much more to come from this season, so that's my focus.

"Of course we're always looking out there for players who will be able to help us from now to the end of the season and going forward.

"If the right player became available at the right price then obviously we would make a move but it's not an absolute necessity."

Striker Paul Mullin and midfielders Elliot Lee and Harry Ashfield are among those who could depart on loan this month.

And Parkinson says Lee is available again having fully recovered from a knee injury.

"With Elliot, he's trained fully and he's ready," added Parkinson.

"There's been several enquiries about Elliot, which you'd expect. He's a good player.

"He was our joint-top scorer last year in the promotion campaign. He's just weighing up his options.

"I had a chat with him this morning to get the right move for him to get some football in him from now to the end of the season."

Parkinson says Wrexham will continue to monitor Mullin and Ashfield before the transfer deadline.

"We had a few initial inquiries about Harry, but we haven't had anything for the last week or so," explained Parkinson.

"Mulls is the same. We've just got to see what happens in the next week or so and if something comes up that appeals to him then I'm sure we can sit down and try and strike a deal up."