Wrexham Evening Leader

Vital Week for Reds

26/11/04

By Richard Williams

Denis SmithDENIS SMITH knows the importance of the next week for Wrexham Football Club.

The Reds visit Huddersfield tomorrow in League One, go to Chester City on Tuesday in the last 16 of the LDV Vans Trophy, and travel to Scunthorpe on Friday in their FA Cup second round tie which is live on SKY.

That is the same day that Wrexham were due in court to apply to go into administration, but that court hearing date has since been put back.

Meanwhile on the field Reds' boss Smith knows a lot rests upon this next week.

Smith said today: "It's an important week with three games, and they are all big ones. We need three points at Huddersfield tomorrow to get back to winning ways in the league, while Chester takes care of itself.

"On Friday at Scunthorpe we'll be on the national stage, and if we win we're in the third round."

Injuries again affect Smith's preparations tomorrow as Wrexham aim to end a run of four consecutive league defeats.

Smith is hoping to sign former Reds' midfielder Scott Green on a non-contract basis in time to face Huddersfield.

Green, who was part of Smith's promotion winning team, has been without a club since Telford went out of business and it's likely the 34-year-old could go straight into the team if signed in time.

"I'm hoping to sign Scott on non-contract terms but it depends on how talks go," said Smith. As long as I can get clearance - and I'm sure I will - he will be involved tomorrow.

"Scott came here originally to get his fitness back which he is close to. Apart from one reserve game for us he has not played since April.

"But if he comes in it gives us an extra dimension."

Green's inclusion would be a welcome boost for Smith who cannot name a side yet because he's unsure who will be fit.

Scott GreenSteve Roberts came off in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Torquay with a hamstring injury and is struggling to be fit.

Darren Ferguson, Simon Spender and Juan Ugarte also did not train yesterday after picking up knocks at Plainmoor but are all expected to be available.

Ugarte is set for an extended stay at The Racecourse after Smith held talks with the Spanish striker's agent.

"I'm seeing Juan again today after talking to his agent and we hope to do something," said Smith.

"I've put something to him and I hope the answer is yes. Juan would have a contract until the end of the season.

"The funding is here from outside the club, it's just a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's"

The bad news for Smith is that Brian Carey, who was expected to return next week, has suffered a set-back after a recent operation on a knee, while Alex Smith has a cartilage injury.

But long-term injury victim, Jim Whitley, did train yesterday though after five weeks out is unlikely to feature.

Smith said: Jim's back training with us, which is positive news, but it is too much off a risk. I like to have a team in my mind by the Thursday before a game, but I've got to see who is available now."

The defensive-midfield position, where injury victims Whitley and Danny Williams could have featured, is troubling Smith. And he feels the loss of Williams, with back problems, is a particular blow as he toys with what system to play at Huddersfield.

"We've really missed Danny, and Jim can also play there so that position has been a problem.

"Playing 3-5-2, as we have since I've been here, suits us because we've had the pace in the wing-backs position.

"Reverting back to 4-4-2 is one option, and has always been a big favourite of mine, though not here. There are half a dozen ways you can play that system.

"I've got to see who is available before deciding what to do.

"It's been a long time without a league win, though we've had a few cup victories in between. I'd like to get back to being a team that's hard to beat, like we were at the start of the season."

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