CHESTER CITY defender Phil Bolland lined-up alongside Richard Hope in a practice match for Wrexham against Everton yesterday.

Bolland, who has been out of favour at the Deva under Bobby Williamson, played a full 90 minutes under the watchful eye of Brian Little as Wrexham played a near full strength side against a youthful Everton side at Colliers Park.

Centre-back Bolland has made over 150 league appearances for Chester in two spells separated by a season at Peterborough United.

"Phil has been allowed to train with us for a few days and we have been watching him closely," said Wrexham boss Little.

"We are always looking at different things and Phil training with us is just one of those things, it just happens, we will be having other people coming in and out.

"I have already made contact with quite a few people about coming to train with us and we will look at all sorts different of positions and people over the next few weeks.

"I will be working the market, speaking to people at different clubs and finding out who might or might not be available from different places.

"In our situation we cannot really afford to make any mistakes so I feel it is important to look at people closely.

"If we can bring them in to see how they mix with the rest of the players before making a decision then that's great."

Little abandoned routine training in favour or a practice match against a Goodison Park eleven, and although the result would not of been top of his priorities he was delighted to win 3-0.

Strikers Michael Proctor (2) and Neil Roberts both found the back of the net, slotting past former Wrexham goalkeeper John Ruddy.

"We scored two or three goals which was nice but that wasn't the most important thing, because in view of the last couple of results being a little bit tighter in defence was of equal importance," added little.

"The match gave us an opportunity to work on things that went wrong at the weekend and perhaps the weekend before. We are trying our best to sort out the situation we are in.

"We are trying to recreate game situations on the training ground so we learn."

Wrexham lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Anthony Williams in goal, Simon Spender, Hope, Bolland and Ryan Valentine across the back, Sam Aiston, Matty Crowell, Mark Jones and Josh Johnson in midfield with Neil Roberts and Michael Proctor up front.

Steve Evans, Neil Taylor, Williams and Mike Jones came on in the second half as Wrexham reverted to a 4-5-1, using central defender Evans as a lone striker.

"We switch systems amongst ourselves every day on the training ground so it is nice to do it against other people," added Little.

"I am pleased with the workout. We have tried very hard in the last few week to vary the training.

"We threw Mark (Jones) in on Saturday and it was a bit of a gamble, but he got through 50 minutes and that was great. Two or three days on from there we have now given him 90 minutes and he has come through that quite well so I am very pleased."

Meanwhile, Newport County host Swansea City tonight in the first quarter-final of the FAW Premier Cup.

Wrexham will play their quarter-final match away against Llanelli on Wednesday, January 9.