ANDY HOLT hopes to end the longest injury lay-off of his career tomorrow.

The popular wing-back, voted Wrexham's Player of the Season by fans in May, has been pencilled in for a reserve team outing after six weeks on the sidelines with a bruised bone in his knee.

And the 27-year old former Hull player yesterday admitted it had been a frustrating period.

"I did some running and kicking the ball last week and I'm hoping to train with the lads tomorrow," he said. "Depending on how that goes I'll be looking to play between 30 and 45 minutes in the reserves on Wednesday and take things on from there.

"It's been an incredibly frustrating season for me, because I had a thigh injury in September which kept me out for four matches.

"The latest problem came in the game against Darlington when I received a head wound. As I fell I felt something go in my knee and, although I was able to complete the match, the leg stiffened up afterwards and I was unable to bend it.

"The doctors had a look and said I had suffered extensive bruising to a bone at the back of the knee and that complete rest for several weeks was the only answer. It's my longest spell out of the game since I turned professional and, although I suppose I've been lucky during my career, that doesn't make me feel any better."

Holt's return could not be better timed with Saturday's trip to Carlisle United the prelude to a hectic Christmas programme that brings matches against local rivals Chester City and Shrewsbury Town, to say nothing of Rochdale and Grimsby Town.

"There are a lot of big games coming up, especially the two derbies," added Holt.

"If I could get myself back into first team contention for Christmas that would be a bonus and I'm optimistic that will be the case.

"Wrexham seems to have been cursed by injuries over the past couple of years and I've had my fair share of them this season so I can't wait to be playing regularly again.

"I've always believed that if we can keep a full squad of players available we'll be there or thereabouts in the promotion shake-up at the end of the season."

Wrexham boss Denis Smith also has Jim Whitley and Shaun Pejic available for tomorrow's run-out against Rochdale reserves at Buckley after both served a one-match ban when the second string were at Burnley nine days ago.

And he revealed that young midfielder Levi Mackin is making better than expected progress after suffering medial ligament damage at the end of October.

"All being well, Andy will play on Wednesday along with Jim and Shaun and it's good to have him back," he said..

"He gives us power and strength on the left flank and he can also play in the middle of the defence, so it's as good as getting a couple of players back.

"Unfortunately this is the last reserve team game before Christmas but if he comes through 45 minutes and is okay, he is another one - along with Jim and Shaun - that I can look to in an emergency.

"Levi is also coming on a lot more quickly than we had thought possible. I did not expect to see him outside until January but he's already running and kicking a ball as part of his rehabilitation programme."

The Racecourse boss is optimistic that defender Dennis Lawrence, who pulled a chest muscle in Saturday's game against Notts County, and striker Lee McEvilly, who is carrying a foot problem, will be fit for the trip to Brunton Park.

"The problem for Dennis is a slight strain in between his ribs and, while Lee might require an x-ray to determine the extent of his injury, we're not too worried and it's more a case of what we can do to rectify it," he added.

* Wrexham fans are invited to a Christmas party with a difference at the Racecourse's Centenary Club next Monday evening. Instead of the traditional turkey, a Thai-style buffet is on offer. Wrexham boss Denis Smith and his assistant Kevin Russell will conduct the Supporters' Trust's Christmas raffle draw, for which there are 25 prizes. Tickets are £12 from the club shop or the supporters ' trust at member@wafc123.freeserve.co.uk