Wrexham Evening Leader

Dibble at the ready

Richard Williams
By Richard Williams, Evening Leader

07/12/04

Andy DibbleREDS boss Denis Smith is considering turning to his most experienced professional tonight.

Smith is set to give Andy Dibble his first start in the side for over two months when Wrexham face Stockport County at the Racecourse in League One tonight (7.45pm).

Dibble, now recovered from a hand injury, has been on the bench for the last three matches but Smith may bring the shot stopper in against on of his former clubs for Matt Baker.

And Smith said today: "There's every chance of Andy Dibble being back. Andy is my number one keeper and has been outstanding here. He may have been on the bench the last three games but you have to remember they were all in a week.

"And he's only played one reserve game since returning to full training so we'll have to

"At the moment Andy is the number one keeper at the club, but obviously that will change in time."

One change Smith is forced to make is bringing Steve Roberts in for Craig Morgan.

Morgan hobbled off in the first half of Friday's 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Scunthorpe with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

Ironically, Roberts came on for Morgan after recovering from his own hamstring problems and will start tonight.

Smith names a 16 man squad and Levi Mackin will be back on the substitutes bench after being omitted at Scunthorpe.

And Smith has hinted there may be other changes.

"I had six different teams written out yesterday," said Smith. "I want to get the best out of what I have got available.

"You are always hoping that some little move might produce magic.

"I've got a couple of changes in mind that I may make but they won't be wholesale -even though there are players who need a rest but can't because of the injury situation.

"I don't think we played that badly on Friday and you have to remember we won our previous two matches.

"To win three away matches in a row in a week is a lot to ask."

Tonight's match is Wrexham's first since being deducted ten points on Friday for going into administration.

That leaves Wrexham third from bottom but Smith denies three points tonight, against basement side Stockport, are crucial in the fight against relegation.

Smith said: "Everybody wants to make each game we play World War Three but football is not like that.

"It is in the cup over one match you have until May to prove yourselves.

"And why should we prepare for the game differently because we now find ourselves in the bottom four?

"You prepare the best you cane for every game of football - you don't treat some teams easier than others."

Stockport, under Mark Lillis since Sammy Mcllroy was sacked last month, were beaten 2-0 at the Racecourse in the LDV Vans Trophy recently.

And Smith added: "I was disappointed for Sammy that he got sacked, he was a nice fella. But if you don't win games, you get the sack -whether it's your fault or not."

Wrexham (from) Dibble, Baker, Pejic, Roberts, Lawrence, Spender, Ferguson, Jones, Green, Holt, Ugarte, Llewellyn, Crowell, Sam, Armstrong, Mackin.