Keates Hints At Early Gift As Patrick Signs Wrexham Stay

The Dragons have announced the extension of a loan deal for Omari Patrick while Dean Keates is pondering the idea of giving his players Christmas Day off.

Patrick, on-loan from Bradford City has been in fine fettle since joining last month and has since scored three goals in five outings.

But he's extended his stay in North Wales until the middle of January at least.

Elsewhere, Patrick and his teammates may be set for a more relaxed Christmas Day after boss Dean Keates could be breaking a tradition.

Ahead of their Boxing Day game with Chorley, the Dragons boss might be giving the gift of rest to his players.

“I look at my squad, you get to know the character and if they are trustworthy professionals, that this group are," he told North Wales live.

“It is something we will look at, and if it is the carrot that needs dangling against Sutton then it is a possibility they won’t be in on Christmas Day.

“When we come to Friday’s anyway there isn’t loads that we do. It is very short and sharp, we do most of our work in the early part of the week.

"Do we do loads the day before a game? No, just really short, sharp sessions, and it is about going over the detail, and analysis that can be covered on Christmas Eve.

“The option is there if I want to give them Christmas Day off, but if they do take it off, as I have done previously all the GPS units will go home and be set on what they need to do. They will know what they need to do and if it is not done then it affects themselves going forward.”