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Denis Smith

Lee’s looked good in training. He’s sharp and makes terrific runs and I know he’s keen to add to the goals he’s already got

STRIKERS were today big news at Wrexham and Peterborough on the eve of their clash at The Racecourse tomorrow.

Denis Smith is toying with another attacking partnership while Posh looked like losing their dangerman Leon McKenzie to first division Norwich City. He is being lined up in a three and-a-half year deal by the Canaries. The fee - subject to a medical later today - has not been disclosed.

Smith will not announce his side until just before kick-off but he may push Chris Llewellyn back up front. Llewellyn, signed from Norwich, has yet to get the goals he is capable of but Smith’s faith in him is undiminished.

Smith said: “I’ve had to use Chris up front and in a more withdrawn role at times because of the demands of having such a small squad. But I still say this lad will become a great signing for us. His work rate is tremendous and all he needs is a few goals to really lift his confidence.”

Jinxed Chris Armstrong picked up a knee injury after scoring twice in the reserves’ 3-1 win at Carlisle on Wednesday. He may make the substitutes’ bench tomorrow and that leaves Smith to probably choose between Hector Sam and Lee Jones as Llewellyn’s foil. Jones looks likely to get the nod.

Smith said: “Lee’s looked good in training. He’s sharp and makes terrific runs and I know he’s keen to add to the goals he’s already got. I still need time to think this one over, but one thing’s for sure. . . we could do with a win. I hope we get a few more in tomorrow what with it being Christmas. Fans seem to like coming to football games over Christmas, probably because they don’t want to go shopping with the missus!

“But this is the time of year when all clubs face a glut of games and points are there to be competed for. You don’t want to be miserable at this time of the year and three points tomorrow will put us all in a good mood.”

Skipper Darren Ferguson serves the second of his three-match ban so Smith also has to look closely at midfield. Jim Whitley will be in there and the other two likely starters would seem to be Paul Barrett and Stephen Thomas. Barrett and Thomas both work hard for the cause and Whitley will probably sit directing traffic in Ferguson’s central role.

Injuries make life difficult at the back for Smith. Steve Roberts only lasted a few minutes in the reserves at Brunton Park before being forced to limp off with a knee injury. He will not start tomorrow and Craig Morgan is out with a hamstring injury. Shaun Pejic, Brian Carey and Dennis

Lawrence are the likely starters with the Edwardses - Carlos and Paul - as wing-backs.

Wrexham probable: Dibble, C. Edwards, Pejic, Carey, Lawrence, P. Edwards, Barrett, Whitley, Thomas, Llewellyn, L.Jones. Subs from: Whitfield, Armstrong, Roberts, Crowell, M.Jones, Sam, McNulty.

Posh fans were still reeling at today’s news about McKenzie. But owner-manager Barry Fry is not backward in coming forward when there’s the whiff of transfer cash and the deal looks on.

McKenzie, 25, said: ‘I just want to prove myself by scoring goals. That’s my job and I have managed to maintain a good scoring ratio to date. Hopefully, I can keep that up for my new club.”