Wrexham seeking a double tonic

By Mark Currie, Daily Post

10/12/02

WREXHAM'S return to competitive action tonight after a break of 10 days offers central defenders Dennis Lawrence and Shaun Pejic the opportunity to make an impression on manager Denis Smith.

Both players, who have been out of the firing line in recent weeks, are set to line up against Carlisle United in the Brunton Park LDV Vans Trophy meeting, which holds out the promise of a Northern Section semi-final spot for the victors.

The Dragons are without Dan Bennett, away on international duty with his adopted homeland - Singapore - and club skipper Brian Carey, who failed to complete the last home game against Hull City because of achilles tendon problems.

Carey will not be risked this evening after failing to make as quick a recovery as was expected and Smith has also named teenage defender Craig Morgan in his 17-strong squad.

"I thought Brian would have been in with a chance to play against Carlisle but it's not worth taking the risk," said the Racecourse boss, who has one eye on the second part of a Brunton Park double-header in Saturday's league meeting between the teams.

"Dennis, Shaun and Craig Morgan are all in with a chance to play alongside Steve Roberts but they will be the only changes from the team that played against Hull," he added.

Wrexham, who don't have the most impressive of records in the lower league competition, will be just three matches away from a first-ever visit to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium if they can overcome their Cumbrian rivals and Smith said it was a prospect to relish.

"Clubs like us go into the FA Cup wanting to do well from a financial point of view because there is no realistic chance of winning the competition. But this is one for the smaller clubs and there is a real prospect of going all the way," he added.

"But first and foremost we have to get through against Carlisle. Looking at the players they have got, I am surprised at their position in the league. They've brought a few players in recently, their squad looks pretty solid and they seem to get a decent level of support.

"This will be the first of two games against them this week, so if we can gain a psychological advantage by beating them tomorrow all well and good."

But playmaker and current team captain, Darren Ferguson, who can play a pivotal role tonight in helping to extend Wrexham's recent impressive run that has seen them lose just one of their last seven games, will miss Saturday's game through suspension.

And Smith revealed that his absence could spark a change in tactics at the weekend. "Steve Thomas is back fit and available, but with Darren out we could play with three up front," he said.

"Hector Sam is on fire in training at the moment and he's putting the pressure on me to give him a run, so it's something for me to consider once we have got tomorrow's game out of the way."

And Smith received more good news yesterday when goalkeeper Andy Dibble resumed full-time training following a recent knee operation. The veteran 37-year-old, who has not played for six weeks, will be between the posts tomorrow when Wrexham's reserves take on Blackpool in an Avon Insurance League match at the Racecourse (2pm).

WREXHAM: Whitfield, Roberts, Lawrence, Pejic; C Edwards, Whitley, Ferguson, Barrett, P Edwards; Trundle, Morrell. Subs (from): Rogers, Morgan, Holmes, Thomas, Jones, Sam.