20 December 2006
By NICK HARRISON
STEVE
EVANS today revealed why New Year’s Day can’t come quick enough for the towering
centre half.
In the middle of a four game ban after picking up
two red cards this season, the 27-year-old will be left kicking his heels until
Accrington Stanley head to The Racecourse on January 1.
“I just relish playing football and I know it was my own fault for getting sent
off, but hate I it when I’m not playing,” said Evans, who has made the
transition from non-league football with Welsh Premier League champs TNS to the
Football League look so easy.
“I had seven great seasons at TNS and Ken McKenna has got a lot to do with why
I’ve managed to get my chance with Wrexham.
“I’ve also got to be so grateful to Denis Smith for giving me that chance. It’s
been a great 2006 for me and as long as I keep playing well and continue to work
hard in training, then who knows what 2007 has in store.”
Evans wants success with Wrexham and he also wants to make sure the first cap he
won for Wales last month won’t be his last.
“I just think we need more consistency if we are going to reach the play-offs,”
added Evans. “I think we’re one of the best teams in the division but we have to
prove it week win, week out.
“That’s one of the main changes I’ve had to contend with since stepping up to
the Football League. You have to concentrate all the time. Concentration levels
have to be high for the whole 90 minutes and that’s something I’ve been working
on.
“With TNS, there were only a couple of sides who could match us, so it became a
little too easy at times.
“Also the training at Wrexham is more intense. I’m still learning, but I’ve been
very happy with the way I’ve started here – and getting the call up to the Wales
squad was like a dream come true.
“Just to be involved for the game against Liechtenstein was great but to be told
I was playing and starting the game at The Racecourse was just surreal.
“I’ve got to thank John Toshack for giving me that chance and now I’ve got to
make sure that that first cap doesn’t turn out to be my last.
“Playing for Wales was a memorable experience and when you’ve done it once, you
want more – you don’t know what will happen in 2007.
“I’d love to be involved in the next Wales game but for now I’m working extra
hard in training and I want to earn my place back in the Wrexham side as soon as
a I can – hopefully on New Year’s Day against Accrington.”
Meanwhile, Lee McEvilly was given more than an hour of reserve team football as
he continued on the comeback trail.
McEvilly played for almost 65 minutes of a reserves 2-0 defeat to Manchester
City reserves at Buckley Town’s Globe Way as he aims to regain full fitness.
Manager Denis Smith said: “He did okay, but he’s nowhere near fully fit just
yet. He was in the squad for last Saturday’s match and I expect him to be
involved at some point this Saturday, but he won’t be starting.
“He is still along way off full fitness. This is not the way I want to do it
really. Ideally I’d like him to have a ‘pre-season’ and get fit by playing more
games like these, but we can’t do that in our situation.”