19 October 2005
By RICHARD WILLIAMS
JUAN
UGARTE was an interested spectator last night as LDV Vans Trophy holders Wrexham
were beaten at Blackpool last night.
Ugarte (pictured below), whose 22 goals for Wrexham last season earned him a
summer move to Championship side Crewe Alexandra, has failed to make the
breakthrough at Gresty Road and has made just one start and two substitute
appearances.
Crewe boss Dario Gradi has said Ugarte's fitness needs to improve and has also
discussed the possibility of the Basque striker being sent out on loan.
But Wrexham boss Smith would not be drawn on whether a move for Ugarte would materialise, highlighting the obstacles that stand in his way.
Smith is only allowed a squad of 20 professional players because the club is in
administration, and has reached that limit. He was allowed to bring Paul Linwood
in from Tranmere Rovers as an emergent loan signing because of injury crisis at
The Racecourse.
Linwood has now returned to Rovers but Smith would not reveal whether another
move, if allowed by the Football League, was a possibility.
It is in defence where the Reds' again have injury concerns and Smith said: "A
lot of things are happening and if you can get the league to take the leash off
I could do something."
Matty Crowell and Lee Roche were due to play in a friendly against Crewe today.