THE imminent arrival of Silvio Spann at Wrexham can help fellow Trinidadian Josh Johnson finally fulfill his potential.
That’s the verdict of first-team coach Steve Weaver, who said versatile midfielder Spann would be a “great acquisition” for the Dragons as they bid for promotion from League Two this season.
Wrexham yesterday cleared another hurdle in their bid to bring the Trinidad international to the Racecourse, agreeing a settlement with Spann’s homeland club W Connection for the remainder of his contract.
Spann has already agreed terms with the Dragons, who are now waiting on a work permit and international clearance before the deal can be completed.
While Weaver is looking forward to the midfielder’s arrival, he was also impressed by the contribution of Spann’s compatriot Johnson in Tuesday’s Carling Cup win at Port Vale.
Johnson came on as a substitute for goalscorer Michael Proctor and Weaver said: “I wouldn’t have thought Port Vale will have known much about Josh before Tuesday, but he’s a very talented player.”
He admitted Johnson has struggled to adjust to life in League Two since joining the Dragons last summer, but said this season he expected to see more of the winger’s ability shining through this season.
“He’s quite a shy guy and he’s a long way from home, and he’s just found it very difficult,” Weaver added. “It’s not that easy – Trinidad’s a completely different place to North Wales – and he’s probably much better adjusted now than he was 12 months ago.
“But he’s got a lot of ability.
“He’s got pace and he can finish, and this year it really is time for him to push on. He can be a real handful for anyone and he could be anything he wants to be.
“It’s a lot for a young lad from Trinidad to come and be expected to take everything by storm.
“But Silvio will be someone for Josh to talk to, someone to relate to and be friends with, so I think they can help each other.
“Josh is quite introverted – he must be the most introverted of all the Trinidadians we’ve had here – whereas Silvio’s a cheeky chappie.
“He’s bubbly, he’s bright and when you’re in his company he brings the best out in you so I’m sure Josh will benefit from that.”
Weaver said Spann has the quality to aid a possible promotion push for Wrexham this season, adding: “The situation is we want to sign players from now on who are ambitious and want to push on in their careers.
“I’m sure Silvio will be looking at us as a stepping stone for his career, whether he wants to stay and spend a few years with us or he wants to eventually move on to a higher level. “That’s how we want all our players to think. It might take him a little bit of time to adjust but I think he’s going to be a great acquisition for us.”
Weaver also praised the work put in by Dragons boss Brian Carey and club co-owner Geoff Moss behind the scenes in persuading Spann to agree terms.
“Brian and Geoff have worked extremely hard on this and they’ve never taken no for an answer,” Weaver said. “Dennis Lawrence is quite close to Silvio and he said to him he was better off going to Wrexham – a club that will help him develop – rather than to a club where he’s going to be stuck in the reserves for a while.”