Nicky Deverdics’ career is looking up – towards the Football League.
The 30-year-old Geordie, who started his career with home city club Newcastle United, says: “Wrexham have a chance of going up, they are in a strong position.”
Deverdics gained League Two experience with Barnet and Hartlepool, while he played for Scottish Premier club Gretna.
“I played in the league for Hartlepool, but unfortunately we came down,” said Deverdics. “This is a chance to go back up. Wrexham are pushing for promotion.
“I’m excited to get started, I am going somewhere positive where they are looking up not down, completely different to what I have been used to over the last 18 months, and I am itching to get started.
“I spoke with Dean (manager, Keates), I liked what he said, his personality and enthusiasm.
“Dean can get the best out of me.”
Keates tracked Deverdics relentlessly through January and finally signed his man, saying: “It was 10 days going back and forward and we reached the point where it was agreed.
“He is a great addition to the squad and will bring balance on the left wing. Nicky is an attacking midfielder, different to what we have got.
“He is proven at this level, a fit lad and has a lethal left-foot.”
February is a key month in Guiseley’s quest to avoid relegation with four of their six matches at Nethermoor, starting with the visit of third-placed Wrexham on Saturday.
They are nine points away from safety and follow the home game against Wrexham by playing League leaders Macclesfield away.
The Lions then have three successive matches at home, against Gateshead, Maidenhead United and AFC Fylde before going to Sutton United on February 24.
“We have a couple of tough games coming up, but there are also fixtures we have highlighted where we feel we can take maximum points.” said Guiseley manager Paul Cox, who has signed goalkeeper Luke Coddington from Northampton for the rest of this season.
“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to attack the next game and go after the three points.
“We need to now pick up a consistent three points in our remaining 17 games.”
Wrexham signed midfield player Akil Wright, defender David Raven and Deverdics during January, while Blackpool striker Scott Quigley joined the Reds on loan and has scored three goals in two matches.
VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE TABLE
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | Goals | Pts | |
| 1. | Macclesfield | 31 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 39:33 | 56 | |
| 2. | Aldershot | 31 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 49:32 | 55 | |
| 3. | Wrexham | 31 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 35:24 | 53 | |
| 4. | Sutton | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 44:35 | 52 | |
| 5. | Tranmere | 31 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 48:30 | 51 | |
| 6. | Dover | 31 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 43:26 | 51 | |
| 7. | Bromley | 31 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 53:37 | 50 | |
| 8. | Boreham Wood | 31 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 45:32 | 50 | |
| 9. | Fylde | 31 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 54:39 | 48 | |
| 10. | Dagenham & Red. | 31 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 48:40 | 45 | |
| 11. | Ebbsfleet | 31 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 41:36 | 43 | |
| 12. | Eastleigh | 31 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 49:48 | 43 | |
| 13. | Maidenhead | 31 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 42:43 | 41 | |
| 14. | Gateshead | 30 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 38:31 | 40 | |
| 15. | Woking | 31 | 11 | 6 | 14 | 40:48 | 39 | |
| 16. | Maidstone | 31 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 38:48 | 38 | |
| 17. | Leyton Orient | 31 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 39:46 | 35 | |
| 18. | Hartlepool | 31 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 35:45 | 34 | |
| 19. | Halifax | 31 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 32:43 | 34 | |
| 20. | Barrow | 29 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 36:40 | 31 | |
| 21. | Solihull | 31 | 8 | 6 | 17 | 32:46 | 30 | |
| 22. | Chester | 31 | 5 | 12 | 14 | 27:51 | 27 | |
| 23. | Guiseley | 29 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 27:54 | 22 | |
| 24. | Torquay | 31 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 25:52 | 21 | |