Saunders to sign veteran Taylor

Striker Gareth Taylor won 15 Wales international caps

Wrexham boss Dean Saunders is set to sign former Wales international striker Gareth Taylor on a one-year deal.

The 36-year-old journeyman striker was released by Championship club Doncaster Rovers and is poised to join the 14th club of his 19-year career.

"I'm delighted that we have been able to get Gareth," said Saunders.

Taylor will undergo a medical on his return from holiday later this month as non-league Wrexham bid for promotion back to the Football League.

The 15-times capped Welshman played alongside Racecourse boss Saunders, another former Wales international striker, at Sheffield United during the 1997/98 season.

Taylor served his apprenticeships at Southampton and has played for Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Burnley and Nottingham Forest during his nomadic footballing career.

Saunders now hopes the 6ft 2in forward can spearhead Wrexham's push for promotion from the Blue Square Premier League during their second year in non-league football.

"He's just the type of experienced player I have been looking for to play next to the likes of Marc Williams and Obi Anoruo.

606: DEBATE If Taylor has looked after himself and can play a decent number of games he might prove a good foil for our younger strikers dlrwrexham

"I think it is vital for our younger strikers to have someone like Gareth on the field with them as he will only make them better players.

"He is a player I have known as a team-mate at Sheffield United so I know his strengths and he's still fit. His heights makes him a good target man and he thinks about what he is doing."

Saunders, who hopes Taylor is the first of his front-line reinforcements this summer, dismissed concerns about Taylor's age.

"In played in the Premier League when I was 36," said the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker.

"And I have no doubts at all that Gareth will hold the ball up for us and score goals."

Wales under-21 striker Williams scored 13 goals in just 19 starts last season while Nigerian teenager Anoruo impressed in his few appearances for Wrexham last season, scoring twice in four league starts.

"Gareth will be someone that the younger players will look up to and learn from," added Saunders, whose team begin pre-season training on 1 July.