MARK JONES is looking to take his goals tally into double figures by Christmas.

The Wales under 21 international is Wrexham’s leading scorer with eight goals to his credit this season and will again line up in the Reds’ midfield when Mansfield visit The Racecourse tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

Jones’ performances have earned him rave reviews and he will continue to adopt a policy of shooting as often as possible in an attempt to get the two goals needed to reach his ten goal target.

“I am happy with the amount of goals I have scored and I just want to get as many as I can,” Jones said today. “I want to reach double figures and hopefully I will be able to do that before Christmas. I just need to keep shooting. The manager has said that and he is looking for even more goals from me.”

Jones, however, tipped to be a full Wales international next year, has not been happy with his form in recent weeks and is looking for an improvement as Wrexham begin a busy December schedule.

“I am happy with the way things are going this season but just feel I have not played as well as I can in the last few matches.” said Jones. “The last home against against Peterborough I thought I was poor but then Darren Ferguson put me through and I managed to get a shot in which was knocked in for an own goal.

“Our home form has been excellent and we just have to keep that going so we are looking for another win. We have a lot of games coming up over Christmas so it is important to get off to a good start against Mansfield.”

Wrexham boss Denis Smith is hoping his side, currently ninth in the League Two table, can continue their quest for promotion by picking up maximum points against Peter Shirtliff’s Mansfield.

Victory would keep the Reds’ on track for the target set by Smith.

“I have said from day one that it doesn’t matter where we are now, we just need to be up there challenging in the New Year. And it is important to get points in the bag now to make sure of that,” Smith said today.

“The players know what the target was at the start of the season. It is straightforward and we are working towards it. I set my aims as high as I can and though we are looking to go up as champions, if we finish second or third we would still go up.

“At the moment we are not good enough. It is easy to sit back and make excuses - there are plenty of them around here - but we don’t want to do that. We are improving, players are on their way back from injury and hopefully we can take things on. Whether we are good enough we will have to see.

“We work on the fact everyone knows their job. The heads are on right, there is no ebb and flow, it is constant and confidence is good.

Mansfield go into tonight’s match fourth from bottom in the table but Smith knows that there have been signs of a resurgence from the Stags since Shirtliff replaced Carlton Palmer in the hotseat back in September.

“Mansfield had a poor start but they’ll be happy with the way things have gone since a change in manager,” added Smith. “Whether the improvement is down to that you will never know but it has had the desired effect. They are obviously happy with the way things are going - but we will try to change that.”

Smith is without on-loan Robbie Foy because the striker has flu but does name Paul Warhurst, who returns after six weeks out with a groin problem, in a 17-am squad.

The addition of the veteran centre-back gives Smith options and he will again have to decide whether to keep Danny Williams in a defensive role were he has impressed in recent matches.

Youngster Jamie Reed retains his place in the squad as the striker is likely to be on the substitutes bench yet again.

WREXHAM (from): Ingham, Bayliss, Danny Williams, Lawrence, Roche, Crowell, Mark Jones, Ferguson, Bennett, Walters, McEvilly, Spender, Smith, Mike Williams, Read, Warhurst, Michael Jones.