PAUL LINWOOD was today waiting to see if he would be recalled by Tranmere Rovers.

The 21-year-old, in his second month of a loan spell at Wrexham, today reported for training at Colliers Park despite reports Tranmere boss Brian Little wants Linwood back at Prenton Park because of an injury pile.

However, there had been no contact between Little and Reds’ manager Denis Smith and Linwood is more than happy to continue plying his trade at The Racecourse until further developments.

“I’ve heard nothing, except a report on a local radio station saying Tranmere might need me back, and I’m sure than Denis Smith will be the first to hear. The two managers will be touch if anything is happening so we’ll have to wait and see,” Linwood said today.

“I am loving it at Wrexham and have settled in well. I came in because of injuries and have really been made to feel part of the team.”

An injury to Tranmere midfielder Mark Rankine had prompted Little to say: “We’ve had another setback with Ranks getting a sore hamstring so we’ll probably call Paul Linwood back. With Ranks injured we’ll have to look at calling Paul back as we’re a bit thin on the ground.”

Though Tranmere are within their rights to recall Linwood, Smith had yet to be contacted by Little and the centre-back arrived for training as normal this morning.

“Until I hear from Brian, as far as I am concerned Paul Linwood is staying at Wrexham. We’ll have to wait and see,” Smith said today. “Paul has got me out of the hole and done well for us.”

With no match until a week on Saturday, a number of Reds’ players were continuing their comebacks from injury and the situation is looking far healthier.

But four players were missing from training today having been called up by their respective countries for international duty.

Goalkeeper Michael Ingham, close to full fitness following a groin problem, is away with Northern Ireland, Dennis Lawrence is on duty with Trinidad and Tobago, and Simon Spender and Mark Jones are in the Wales under 21 squad.

And Smith said sense will determine whether Ingham is fit to be included in the Northern Ireland squad for their match against Wales in Belfast on Saturday.

“Mike is as good as fit and as long as he does not do anything he shouldn’t do while away, should be available for Northern Ireland,” said Smith. “I’m sure he will talk with the medical people over there and they will assess the situation. But the game is not until Saturday anyway.”

There is a possibility that injuries could see Jones promoted into John Toshacks’s senior squad for the match and Smith was delighted with the midfielder and other youngsters in Wrexham’s squad.

“There are a lot of ifs and buts but it is up to other people to pick their team, not me,” Smith said about a possible call-up for Jones.

“Mark has scored three goals in two games for us. Goals are hard to come by at any level but Mark knows where the net is.

“Simon is one of a couple of lads, including Levi Mackin, who are on the fringes of getting in our team and they have been doing very well in training. But when Simon got in earlier in the season he got sent off that cost him.

“If they are good enough they will get in and they are doing well. But the timing has to be right and others have to play badly.”