Wrexham

Hartlepool v Wrexham
Hartlepool midfielder Antony Sweeney will be out for a month after damaging knee ligaments and is likely to be replaced by Willie Boland. Mark Tinkler is still struggling with a Achilles problem while striker Michael Proctor has had knee surgery and will be out until after Christmas. Wrexham midfielder Darren Ferguson has an ankle problem and could miss out. Already ruled out are Neil Roberts (ankle), Lee McEvilly (foot), Shaun Pejic (heel) and Levi Mackin (knee).

Midfielder Jones sets sights high
Wrexham midfielder Mark Jones will not rest on his laurels after being named Wales' club player of the year. The Wales squad member, 23, has set the dual targets of Dragons promotion and a first senior international cap as his goals for the season. \"If Wrexham get their key players back we can go on a run and go up,\" the free scoring youngster told Sir Stanley. \"That's the ambition along with my first cap. I'm enjoying just being with the Wales squad, but a cap is my aim.\" Jones says that Wrexham manager Denis Smith and coaches Kevin Russell and Brian Carey deserve credit for his award. \"I've been at the club since I was a kid, those three have helped my progress no end,\" said Wrexham-born Jones. \"The last 12 months have been up and down with the off-field problems at the Racecourse, but it's looking good now and we have to start delivering on the pitch.\" Wrexham groundsman Johnny Edwards also claimed an award at the Millennium Stadium presentations, for services to Welsh football.

Wrexham v MK Dons
Wrexham skipper Neil Roberts is in line to return after the striker missed six games with an ankle injury. Defender Shaun Pejic (Achilles) and Levi Makin (knee) will have late fitness tests, while Ryan Valentine and Danny Williams serve one-match ban. Centre-back Craig Morgan, who made his Wales debut in mid-week, could make his first MK Dons appearance since August. Only long-term injury victims Keith Andrews and Gary Smith (both knee) are definitely out of contention.

Morgan braced for Wrexham taunts
MK Dons defender Craig Morgan says he has \"no regrets\" over his contentious move from Wrexham last year. Morgan, who made his Wales debut on Wednesday, returns to the Racecourse for the first time on Saturday and is expecting a hostile reception. \"I know there's a good chance I'll get a lot of stick for the way it ended with me and the club,\" said Morgan. \"But I had to look at myself; the club was unstable and no-one could really say where the whole thing was going.\" Morgan, 21, left Wrexham in July 2005 after the Dragons were relegated from League One as a result of being docked 10 points for going into administration. The centre-back had initially suggested he would be happy to stay with the club which he had joined as a schoolboy. But he incurred the wrath of the Wrexham faithful when he opted to sign for MK Dons - who had just escaped relegation to League Two on goal difference. The Dons failed to maintain their League One status last season, though, so Morgan now faces a return to the club who gave his league debut as a 16-year-old. \"I'm delighted to be going back to the Racecourse,\" Morgan told the Daily Post. \"It will make it a bit of a special week all round after getting my first cap. I've a lot to thank them for and I certainly wouldn't be playing for Wales if it wasn't for them.\" Morgan gave an assured display on his Wales debut against Cyprus on Wednesday - made all the more impressive considering he had not played since 26 August because of a badly broken nose. He hopes his performance will have convinced MK Dons manager Martin Allen to put him straight back in the starting line-up on Saturday. \"I hope to play because I haven't featured for a long time,\" said Morgan. \"And as fond as my memories are, I want to be celebrating three points come the final whistle, that's the only way I can look at it.\"

Wrexham 1-2 MK Dons
MK Dons manager Martin Allen engineered a second-half recovery as they came from behind to beat Wrexham. Wrexham skipper Neil Roberts opened the scoring when he forced the ball home following two blocked efforts. The turning point came with Izale McLeod's arrival after the interval, as within 38 seconds of the restart he had levelled the scores with a low shot. McLeod then turned provider, setting up Sean O'Hanlon to sweep home a 72nd minute winner for MK Dons. Wrexham: Ingham, Roche (Spender 71), Steve Evans (Mackin 80), Gareth Evans, Mike Williams, Mark Jones, Crowell, Ferguson, Llewellyn, Done, Roberts (Newby 64). Subs Not Used: Michael Jones, McAliskey. Booked: Done, Gareth Evans, Mark Jones, Mackin. Goals: Roberts 20. Milton Keynes Dons: Baines, Jamie Smith, Diallo, O'Hanlon, Lewington, McGovern, Mitchell, Wilbraham, Dyer (Chorley 81), Platt, Taylor (McLeod 45). Subs Not Used: Bankole, Crooks, Edds. Booked: O'Hanlon. Goals: McLeod 46, O'Hanlon 77. Att: 3,828 Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).

MK Dons' Morgan loaned to Wrexham
Wrexham have agreed to take Welsh international defender Craig Morgan on a one-month loan from MK Dons. Morgan, who won his first cap last week in the 2-1 win over Cyprus, left Wrexham in 2005 to join the Dons. The 21-year-old is likely to play in Tuesday night's home Johnstone's Paints Trophy first-round match with Rochdale. Dragons manager Denis Smith is without defender Steve Evans (dead leg) and striker Neil Roberts (ankle), while Lee Roche is doubtful with a leg strain. However, Danny Williams and Ryan Valentine should be available after injury.

Mansfield v Wrexham
Mansfield winger Michael Boulding is a major doubt after his knee injury flared up during midweek training. Midfielder Simon Brown's knee problem keeps him out, but Matt Hamshaw is back from suspension, while full-back Alan Sheehan is over a bruised shin. Wrexham will be without Neil Roberts following his ankle operation, and they have failed to land a new loan signing. Shaun Pejic (Achilles), Lee Roche (hamstring) and Lee McEvilly (foot) are out, but Steve Evans should return. On-loan Wales defender Craig Morgan is set to continue in the heart of defence.

Mansfield 3-0 Wrexham
A brace from skipper Richie Barker set Mansfield on their way to a comfortable victory over struggling Wrexham. Barker rounded keeper Michael Ingham to coolly slot home from a Matt Hamshaw through ball after 21 minutes. Striker Barker extended the lead 15 minutes later, this time beating Ingham to a through ball from Alan Sheehan. Wrexham's Chris Llewellyn had a shot blocked by the home keeper, before Danny Reet put the result beyond doubt with a volley 20 minutes from time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mansfield: Muggleton, Mullins, Hjelde, Baptiste, Sheehan, Hamshaw (Arnold 85), D'Laryea, Dawson (Coke 68), Jelleyman, Barker, Reet (Beardsley 78). Subs Not Used: White, Buxton. Goals: Barker 21, 36, Reet 69. Wrexham: Ingham, Roche (Mike Williams 38), Steve Evans, Morgan, Valentine, Johnson (Crowell 63), Danny Williams, Ferguson, Done (Newby 46), Mark Jones, Llewellyn. Subs Not Used: Michael Jones, Marc Williams. Att: 2,971. Ref: A Penn (W Midlands).

Ferguson says Wrexham in freefall
Wrexham midfielder Darren Ferguson says he cannot see an end to his side's alarming slump in form. \"This is as bad as it's been. We've lost eight of the last nine games,\" he said after the 3-0 loss at Mansfield. \"The most disappointing this is we don't look like winning. We look like a team in absolute freefall. \"There's no point coming up with excuses about injuries. The squad we had against Mansfield is good enough to win football matches.\" Ferguson, 34, says all the players must take responsibility to improve their individual performance or else face the prospect of being embroiled in a relegation dogfight. \"The players' confidence is very fragile,\" he added. \"We just need a win, but more importantly we need to stop conceding goals - even if that means we go six games 0-0. \"The players have got to start taking responsibility. Our performance against Mansfield was not good enough - we'll get relegated on that. \"We've got to work hard on the training pitch and we've got to start winning games. \"We've got to be brave. We've got to want the ball. It's not just all about running around, it's about getting on the ball and playing. \"It's easy to hide. You've got to get on the ball and be brave enough even when things aren't going well.\"

Wrexham must back Smith - McNeil
Former Wrexham manger Dixie McNeil says Denis Smith must be given time to turn the team's results around. Smith is on his worst run since taking over at Wrexham five years ago, having lost eight of the last nine games. But McNeil said: \"They've got to stick with Denis Smith. They're having a really bad run, but he's proved himself as being a good manager over the years. \"That doesn't change over night, but the pressure is on. They're four from bottom - you can't brush that aside.\" Injuries have hit Wrexham's squad hard over recent weeks, and Smith has been frustrated in his search for players in the loan market. McNeil believes Wrexham need to sign \"two experienced players\" and has urged chairman Neville Dickens to back Smith with some money. \"These are worrying times,\" McNeil added. \"It's not just the fact that we're getting beat, it's the manner of the defeats and the number of goal we're conceding. \"That's the main concern and it needs to be changed as quickly as possible. \"They need two experienced players to come in. They would give everyone a lift - the fans included - and could be the start of getting some wins. \"Neville has said from day one he didn't want to stay at the club once he got it sorted and these are difficult times for him. \"But he is chairman of the football club at this moment and he's got to back the manager if he wants to go out to get players in. \"I'm sure he will do that, but whether they have the funds to get the players they want is another matter.\"

Wrexham sign Premiership striker
Wrexham's long search for loan cover up front has led them to Middlesborough youngster Tom Craddock. The Darlington-born striker, 20, has signed for a month, with Neil Roberts and Lee McEvilly long-term injuries at the Racecourse. Craddock made his Premiership debut last season, and scored twice for the reserves against Liverpool last week. He came through the Middleborough youth system, beginning his career as a defender before being moved up front.

Wrexham v Bristol Rovers
On-loan Middlesbrough striker Tom Craddock will make his Wrexham debut in the continuing absence of Neil Roberts, Lee McEvilly and Juan Ugarte. Shaun Pejic (Achilles) is sidelined, and Lee Roche (hamstring) is doubtful. Craig Hinton could return in defence for Bristol Rovers with Byron Anthony (hip) struggling to be fit. James Hunt (ankle) and James Walker (thigh) face late fitness tests, while keeper Steve Phillips starts and loan signing Jamal Easter is in the squad.

Wrexham 2-0 Bristol Rovers
Striker Chris Llewellyn scored and got sent off as 10-man Wrexham ended a run of nine defeats in 10 games. Richard Walker and Sean Rigg had gone close for Rovers, before Llewellyn let loose with a screaming 25-yard goal. Danny Williams hit the post and debut making striker Tom Craddock should have scored when Llewellyn put him clear. A two-footed Llewellyn challenge on Steve Elliott led to his red card, before on-loan Middlesborough man Craddock sealed it with a solo strike. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wrexham: Ingham, Valentine, Steve Evans, Pejic, Mike Williams, Mark Jones, Danny Williams, Ferguson, Done, Llewellyn, Craddock. Subs Not Used: Michael Jones, Morgan, Spender, Mackin, Marc Williams. Sent Off: Llewellyn (65). Booked: Danny Williams. Goals: Llewellyn 22, Craddock 90. Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Ryan Green, Anthony, Elliott, Lescott, Igoe (Disley 76), Campbell, Hunt, Haldane (Sandell 69), Richard Walker, Rigg (Easter 59). Subs Not Used: Hinton, Carruthers. Booked: Haldane. Att: 3,803 Ref: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).

Craddock succumbs to Wrexham jinx
Tom Craddock is the latest Wrexham striker to be struck by the club's injury jinx. The 20-year-old will have a scan on a knee injury on Monday, but he has virtually been ruled out of Saturday's home league match with Macclesfield. Craddock made a scoring debut for the Dragons on Saturday after joining on a month's loan from Middlesbrough. But he now joins fellow strikers Neil Roberts, Lee McEvilly and Chris Llewellyn on the sidelines. Roberts and McEvilly are injured, while Llewellyn is set to start a three-match ban after being sent off against Bristol Rovers.

Wrexham eyeing Brighton striker
Wrexham are poised to bring a third striker in on loan after agreeing a deal for Brighton's Maheta Molango. Subject to the correct paperwork, the much-travelled 24-year-old will arrive at the Racecourse on a month's loan. Molango is a Swiss-born Italian forward who has played for Congo's Under-21 side, qualifying through his father. The striker has had spells in Spain with Atletico Madrid, moving to Germany with SV Burghausen and has had previous loans at Lincoln and Oldham. Molango follows Sunderland's Kevin Smith, 19, who joined the Dragons this week on his own one-month deal. The third recent loan signing, Tom Craddock, injured a knee on his scoring debut for Wrexham last weekend against Bristol Rovers. Craddock has joined the list of Wrexham forward casualties on the sidelines with Neil Roberts and Lee McEvilly, while Chris Llewellyn has a three-game ban for his red card against Rovers. Wrexham have announced a 12-month extension will shirt sponsors LeaseDirect Finance, which will see the Ewloe-based firm supporting the club until the end of the 2008-09 season.

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