STEVE EVANS today revealed his disappointment at missing tomorrow’s Carling Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The centre-back has enjoyed an excellent start to his league career with Wrexham, having played his part in the Reds’ four-game league unbeaten start to the season, but he will be absent for the first round tie at League One Wednesday because he is serving a one-match suspension.

Evans, a summer signing from TNS, was sent off in Sunday’s 2-1 victory at rivals Chester City after picking up two yellow cards and although unhappy not to get the chance to face Paul Sturrock’s Owls side, is happy with his performances so far this season.

“We did well against Chester but I was just disappointed to get sent off for two stupid tackles,” said Evans today. “I am delighted the lads held on and got the three points and I thought we were the better team.

“I could tell what it meant to all the lads and it was brilliant to win. It meant a lot to me but I had mixed emotions. I was delighted to bits we won but I let myself down a bit. However, I was pleased with the way I played until then. It has been a good start and I have just been concentrating on trying to be consistent, play as well as I can and do well for the team.

“I am gutted to miss the cup game at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow – I want to play in every game. But I suppose if I had to miss one match it would be that so I can concentrate on the league. But I am disappointed to miss any game.”

Having lost Dennis Lawrence to Swansea City last week, Evans was partnered by Shaun Pejic – making his first appearance of the season in the first team after an achilles problem – at Chester.

Danny Williams stepped into the back four when Evans was dismissed and Pejic is now likely to be again partnered at Hillsborough by either last year’s Player of the Season, or youngsters Mike Williams or Shaun Pejic.

Mike Williams played 45 minutes of last night’s reserves’ 3-1 victory against Blackpool at Buckley with Gareth Evans completing a full match, while a number of other first team squad members were also given a run-out as Jamie Reed (2) and Marc Williams got the goals.

Manager Denis Smith was delighted to see players such as Lee Roche, Josh Johnson and Jon Newby also get another game under their belts last night.

“No matter what you do in training there is nothing like games to get your fitness levels up,” said Smith, who will include travel to Hillsborough with a number of players on duty at Buckley.

Smith has been delighted with the club’s excellent start to the season and said despite a hectic schedule which will see the Reds play three games in six days, it was only injuries and suspensions that would force him to change an unbeaten side.

“It is a big game tomorrow, and though we are in a busy spell we have to get the lads up for it,” said Smith today. “We have always been a passing team but now we are also a pressing side and the new formation has worked well.

“Nine players have started all four matches and that was the same as last season. But I won’t get carried away because we also started last season well before we got injuries. Hopefully that will not happen again. You have to have a good reason to change things if you are playing well and injuries are one reason.”

Meanwhile, Wrexham goalkeepr Mike Ingham has been called into the Northern Ireland squad for their opening two European Championship qualifiers against Iceland and Spain, on September 2 and 6 respectively.

Wrexham play at Shrewsbury on September 3, but that game could be called off if two or more players are called into the full or under 21 Wales squads that also have matches that weekend, and Smith was awaiting news of further international call-ups.

“I imagine we will have a couple of players in the under 21s and maybe the full squad,” added Smith. “I would already be left with just one goalkeeper in Michael Jones, who I am happy with, but do you play an important game against Shrewsbury with just one keeper?

“My top-scorer Mark Jones could also be away as well as others and if you take three or four out of our squad, we would struggling to put the right side out.”