WREXHAM will play a waiting game over Mark Jones’ knee injury.

Reds’ midfielder Jones, who felt pain in the knee in the warm-up prior to Saturday’s game at Boston United and was immediately withdrawn from the side, yesterday saw medical staff to determine the extent of the problem.

And Wrexham manager Denis Smith today said that the 22-year-old Wales international, Wrexham’s joint-top scorer with seven goals this term, will be monitored over the next few days before deciding the next course of action.

“We are pretty certain it is a cartilage injury but we will give it time before deciding whether he has to go in for an operation or not,” said Smith today. “If Mark has to go in, he would be out for six weeks at least.

“You have to decide whether we give it time to improve and we are waiting to see where we go. But the medical people don’t believe it will improve, though we can only hope. But we have to be 100 per cent certain which is the sensible thing.”

And Smith also had fresh injury concerns yesterday following Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Boston.

Neil Roberts, Juan Ugarte, Kevin Smith and Lee Roche, who all featured in the match at York Street, all received treatment for knocks.

Striker Lee McEvilly, who did not travel to Boston because of a chest infection, was due back in training today and Smith was assessing who would be available to play in a reserve team match against Macclesfield Town which has been arranged for tomorrow.

“We are due to face Macclesfield but the problem comes with who will be able to play,” said Smith. “Ryan Valentine and Matty Done could do with a game but they may be needed for Saturday’s match against Walsall.

“The match was originally arranged last Friday for Juan, Neil and Lee to get some match practice following their injuries, but they won’t play and possibly not on Saturday either. Juan and Neil only played 30 minutes at Boston, had trained last week, but have blown up again.

“Striker Jon Newby could be involved tomorrow, and he could possibly be playing on Saturday as there is no-one else at the moment. The match was arranged for a good reason because people who have been on the bench need games.

“It has changed in the space of a week following our win against Scunthorpe in the FA Cup and we are in the mire again. But we just have to get on with it. We have got a game on Saturday and can’t feel sorry for ourselves.”

Levi Mackin, Simon Spender and Matty Crowell are all set for a run-out.

* Wrexham have received an allocation of more than 2,700 tickets for the FA Cup third round tie against Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday January 6. Adult tickets are £18, seniors (60 years and over) £10. and juniors (16 years and under) £5. There are no concessions for students. If tickets are made available on the day at Pride Park, then these prices will increase by £3 for adults and £1 for seniors and juniors. Tickets will go on sale following Saturday’s match against Walsall at The Racecourse and during normal office hours thereafter. Postal applications can be accepted with a cheque (made payable to Wrexham AFC) completed for the required amount and an SAE. Disabled supporters are asked to contact Keith Marson direct at Derby County on (01332) 667531. He will be available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

* The quarter-final draw for the FAW Premier Cup competition takes place on Saturday. The draw, which will take place on BBC Wales, had been due to be made on Saturday but was delayed for one week. The ties are due to be played on Tuesday, January 9 and Wrexham, who enter this stage of the competition along with Cardiff City, Swansea City and The New Saints, are guaranteed an away tie at either Newport County, Carmarthen Town, Porthmadog or Port Talbot Town.