GOALKEEPER Andy Dibble is poised to come back and shore up Wrexham’s creaking promotion push.

The vastly-experienced Dibble has not played since October 22 because of knee trouble, but he may be back in action at Rochdale on Boxing Day, 3.00.

Wrexham were caught up in a last minute goalkeeper scare before Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat against Kidderminster. Paul Whitfield, who has been deputising for Dibble, hobbled out of the warm-up with suspected cartilage trouble. Kristian Rogers came off the bench to play and Dibble was named as an unused substitute.

Manager Denis Smith said: “It was all a last minute rush because this was about 20 minutes before kick-off when Whitfield came in injured. We fear he’s done his cartilage and if so we’ll get him in to see the consultant as soon as possible. 

“Whitfield has done very well for us, but I’ve said all along how much we’ve missed Dibbs’. He’s got a presence about him - on and off the field - and we need that. Kristian did okay, but he looked very nervous and his kicking wasn’t the best I’ve seen from him.

“You can certainly say that Dibbs will be involved at Rochdale, either playing or on the bench. The only thing that concerns me is he is desperately short of match practice. He’s trained okay but he hasn’t played and that’s what he needs.”

Physio Mel Pejic said today: “Andy has trained all last week, no problem. He’s now over the keyhole surgery he had on his cartilage but, as the gaffer says, he needs games. We were forced to push him out on to the bench on Saturday because Kristian had to replace Paul Whitfield. 

“Paul was working out in the warm-up, going through his goalkeeping routines. He dived to his right and he has twisted his knee. He also heard a crack and when he hobbled in we were very concerned about him. 
“We suspect he may have damaged the cartilage but we have still to have that confirmed. It is is a cartilage job, he could be out for a month or so.”

Also back in for treatment today was striker Lee Jones. He eventually made way for Hector Sam 12 minutes from time on Saturday. Pejic said: “Lee’s hamstring has tightened up again after the game and he needs more treatment on that.”

Pejic’s son, Shaun, was also forced to quit at half-time because he was unwell. “He was in bed most of last week with swollen glands and a temperature,” said his dad. 

“He shouldn’t have played on Saturday but in the end he had to because we had no one else. Brian Carey came on for him for the second-half, but to be fair he’s also been struggling with an Achilles injury.”

Singapore international Dan Bennett is expected back from the Far East and hopes to be back in time to play at Rochdale. Singapore went out of the Tiger Cup and Smith said today: “I’m expecting a text from him at any time. But he should be back in time for the game at Rochdale on Boxing Day.”

WREXHAM striker Lee Trundle was 'gutted' when told he was not in the squad of 16 for Saturday's home game against Kidderminster, writes DAVID LOVETT.

Manager Denis Smith called Trundle into his office before the game and told him he was leaving him out. Trundle accepted the decision - but he was far from happy with it.

Trundle said: "I had no idea I was being left out of the 16 and when the gaffer told me I was just gobsmacked. To be honest, I just didn't know what to say.

"We've got four recognised strikers here at the club and that decision on Saturday says someone here thinks I'm the worst of the four - and that I will never accept. No disrespects to the other lads, but I just don't believe I am the worst of the four." 

Neither does Smith and today he said: "I left Trunds out of the squad because there just wasn't room for him. I thought I had changed the team for the better, but perhaps I changed it for the worst.

"It's one of those things, but perhaps I should have left Stephen Thomas in for Darren Ferguson and Trunds' in the side instead of bringing back Andy Morrell."

The decision to bring back Ferguson from suspension backfired because he got sent off 27 minutes from time.

Referee Scott Mathieson showed a straight red card to Ferguson for what he saw as a stamping offence. Ferguson now faces a three-match ban.

Smith said: "I said on Saturday I didn't see the incident and I didn't. I have since seen it on video and it looks as if Darren may have stamped on the ball.

"I'll have to look at it closely again in slow-motion, but I'm not sure at this stage whether we will appeal against the sending-off. It's certainly far too early to say we will appeal."

Ferguson's dismissal was seen by his father, Sir Alex, who was in the crowd.