Opportunity knocks for Valentine

By RICHARD WILLIAMS

04 December 2007

RYAN VALENTINE aims to make the most of his return to the Wrexham side at Bury tonight (7.45pm).

Full-back Valentine, equally at home on either flank, comes into the side at Gigg Lane in place of 18-year-old Neil Taylor.

First year professional Taylor, who has impressed this term after getting his chance in pre-season, is carrying a slight hamstring strain.

Although Taylor could possibly have continued against the Shakers, manager Brian Little believes the Wales under 21 international needs a rest.

That has paved the way for Valentine's return and he makes his first start under Little – and the tough tackling 25-year-old is delighted to get his opportunity.

"I am delighted to be back in," said Valentine. "I thought before the new manager took over I was doing well but he has come in and gone with what he thought was right.

"And the lads have gone out, drawn two games and done well, so you can't have any complaints.

"Obviously it would have been nice to be involved in the first two matches, but I wasn't.

"I'm looking forward to playing and being involved tonight. I have got my chance and hopefully I do well and keep my place."

A regular in the side at the start of the season, Valentine was ruled out of action for more than a month after picking up a groin injury in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat against Macclesfield on September 18.

Although he returned to the side after making a recovery, Valentine has not featured under Little until tonight.

And Valentine said he is aiming for more consistency in his game, and an extended run in the side.

"I thought I started the season okay but I have been in and out of the team," said Valentine. "I was out for a month with injury.

"My form has been up and down, but so has everyone's. That is why we are second from bottom in the table.

"Hopefully I play well now and am more consistent.

"I need a run of 10-15 games in the side now rather than three or four and then dropping out because of injury.

"I am in my mid-20s and want to play as many games as I can, and do well when I am playing."

Valentine hopes the second from bottom Reds can build on the two draws gained under Little – against Chester City and Rochdale – and start to climb the League Two table.

"A change of manager does not look good on the players," added Valentine. "We have had a few injuries and that has not helped but everyone has been up and down, and it has been a poor start.

"But two draws is a good start under the new manager. The players and the staff are happy with that.

"Hopefully if we can get that first win it will start to push us up the table.

"And we will keep a clean sheet again. The defence played well at Rochdale on Saturday and if we keep defending like that, we will get more wins as the season goes on, and will be in a better position."

Little believes it is the right time to give Taylor, who has started or been on the bench in every match since making his debut at Stockport County on September 22, a break.

"Neil is having a breather," said Little. "He has got a niggling hamstring problem, physio Mel Pejic said he could play on, and the lad said the same thing.

"But I believe Neil needs a breather and sometimes as a manager you have to make these decisions, especially with young players.

"And a rest will get the injury back to 100 per cent so I am bringing Ryan in."

Winger Matty Done, who was handed his first start under Little at Rochdale, missed training yesterday because of illness and he is also absent tonight.

Wrexham are expected to revert to a 3-5-2 formation having lined up with a 5-4-1 system at Rochdale on Saturday.

Although short of recent match fitness because of an ankle injury, midfielder Silvio Spann comes into the 18-man squad.

WREXHAM (from): Anthony Williams, Steve Evans, Pejic, Hope, Baynes, Aiston, Roberts, Llewellyn, Valentine, Proctor, Eifion Williams, Johnson, Marc Williams, Garrett, Spender, Gareth Evans, Spann, Michael Jones.