Wrexham

Wrexham v Macclesfield
Wrexham may hand debuts to on-loan strikers Maheta Molango from Brighton and Sunderland rookie Kevin Smith. They are without on-loan Middlesbrough forward Tom Craddock (knee) and Neil Roberts (ankle), and defender Lee Roche is doubtful with a hamstring injury. Macclesfield will be without suspended Jordan Hadfield, but Danny Swailes is available again after a ban. Jamie Tolley is doubtful with a groin problem, but Simon Wiles may play after joining on loan from Blackpool.

Bury v Wrexham
Bury will be without skipper Dave Challinor who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Goalkeeper Alan Fettis (broken arm) and midfielder Marc Goodfellow (back) are also out. Wrexham midfielder Darren Ferguson is doubtful after sitting out training on Monday because of illness. Chris Llewellyn is still banned, while fellow strikers Tom Craddock, Neil Roberts and Lee McEvilly are likely to remain sidelined through injury.

Wrexham trio agree new contracts
Wrexham have handed contract extensions to three of their promising youngsters. Mike Williams, 20, has signed on until June 2009, while 18-year-olds Matty Done and Michael Jones have agreed new 18-month deals. \"Too often in the past we have been unable to begin talks with players and then seen them walk away when their contracts end,\" said boss Denis Smith. \"Now things are changing back, I have more scope to sit down and chat with the players about their futures.\" Wales Under-21 defender Williams and midfielder Done have been regulars for the Dragons this season, while goalkeeper Jones made his debut aged just 16 last season. Williams said he was delighted to secure his immediate future at the Racecourse by signing a new contract. \"I am very happy to get things sorted out as I can now concentrate on my football,\" he said. \"We have been talking for a little while, so to get the paperwork signed is a good and I'm just looking forward to playing for the club over the next few years.\"

Wrexham v Stevenage
Defender Ryan Valentine (groin) and striker Jon Newby (hamstring) have joined Wrexham's lengthy casualty list. Strikers Chris Llewellyn (banned), Juan Ugarte, Lee McEvilly, Neil Roberts and Tom Craddock (all injured) are also out, but Marc Williams could return. Stevenage Borough manager Mark Stimson expects to be at full strength. Dale Binns is back to full fitness after a knee injury and striker Tony Thorpe could feature after returning from a one-month loan spell at Grimsby.

Wrexham v Lincoln
Wrexham are missing strikers Neil Roberts, Lee McEvilly, Juan Ugarte and Tom Craddock. Dragons pair Ryan Valentine (groin) and Jon Newby (hamstring) also look set to miss out. Lincoln may hand debuts to new loan signings Mathew Birley and Shane Nicholson, while striker Martin Gritton has shrugged off an ankle strain. Midfielder Scott Kerr (back strain) and striker Ollie Ryan (stomach) are again expected to be missing.

Pejic targeting a Wales call-up
In-form Wrexham centre-back Shaun Pejic says he is looking to follow club partner Steve Evans into Wales' team. \"We've had a good partnership going this season,\" said the Hereford-born Wales Under-21 cap, now aged 24, after the 1-1 draw at Torquay. \"Seeing Steve play for Wales (in the 4-0 Liechtenstein win) has given me a boost, that's where I want to get to. \"It's been good to get some praise since coming back from injury and it was a well-earned point at Torquay.\" Wrexham manager Denis Smith again lauded his bruising defensive duo and felt his team were unlucky not to come away from the south coast with all three points. \"Torquay had a great strike from a free kick, but that was their only real effort,\" Smith \"It looked like a case of 'how many will we win by' early on, but it was very difficult to play football in that wind and on a pitch that was still battered from Saturday. \"Still, we could have snatched a victory with Juan Ugarte's effort at the end, and if we win at Boston on Saturday it will have been a great week.\"

Wrexham wait on Jones knee scan
Wrexham are hoping that a knee injury to Mark Jones is not serious. The 22-year-old midfielder was withdrawn just before kick-off of Saturday's 4-0 loss at Boston United after suffering pain in the joint. A scan on Tuesday should reveal more, with the fear that Jones may have suffered cartilage damage - an injury that would require surgery. Physio Mel Pejic said: \"Rather than jump in with a decision, the doctors are going to keep an eye on his knee.\"

Newby allowed to depart Wrexham
Striker Jon Newby has left Wrexham by mutual consent. The former Bury forward, 28, arrived at the Racecourse Ground in August on a short-term deal as cover for injured pair Lee McEvilly and Juan Ugarte. The former Liverpool trainee's rolling one-month contract with the Dragons came to an end on Thursday and he is now free to seek a new club. Wrexham boss Denis Smith said: \"Jon is a very good professional and I hope he gets fitted up (with a new club) soon.\" Newby had hoped to win a new deal after being released by Bury last summer. Until picking up a groin injury in a match against, ironically, the Shakers in early November, Newby had been a regular Wrexham squad member. Although mainly being named on the bench, he also started two matches due to Wrexham's ongoing striker injury problems. \"He came and helped us out at a difficult time, which makes it all the more disappointing that he should pick up an injury just when he was in contact with other clubs,\" Smith, speaking to the Wrexham official website, added.

Wrexham v Walsall
Wrexham will be without injured midfielder Mark Jones (knee), plus strikers Neil Roberts (ankle) and Juan Ugarte (hamstring). But Kevin Smith and Lee McEvilly should be passed fit, although defender Steve Evans begins a four-match ban. Walsall will be forced to make changes after Mark Kinsella's departure to take over youth coaching duties at Charlton. If Dean Keates (ankle) does not recover then Craig Pead and Anthony Gerrard will vie for the vacant midfield slot.

Wrexham boss faces injury crisis
Wrexham could be without seven regulars because of injury for Saturday's League Two match with Darlington. Captain Neil Roberts, Juan Ugarte and Mark Jones are definitely out and could be joined by Chris Llewellyn, Shaun Pejic, Danny Williams and Kevin Smith. But Dragons boss Denis Smith was given a timely boost on Tuesday night when striker Lee McEvilly came through a reserve match unscathed. McEvilly played 65 minutes as his comeback from a broken foot continues. Smith said: \"He did OK, 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.\"

Rochdale 2-2 Wrexham
Rochdale overcame a two-goal deficit to gain a draw in a spectacular second 45. After a dull first half, half-time substitute Lee McEvilly gave Wrexham the lead on 47 minutes, beating Matt Gilks after Chris Llewellyn's set-up. Gilks parried a McEvilly drive into the path of Llewellyn, who controlled an awkward ball to make it 2-0. But Wrexham keeper Mike Ingham missed a cross, giving Glenn Murray an easy header, and slack defending at a corner let John Doolan head the equaliser. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rochdale: Gilks, Ramsden, Stanton, McArdle, Goodall, Doolan, Jones, Warburton (Thompson 57), Dagnall, Murray, Moyo-Modise (Mocquet 57). Subs Not Used: Rigby, Crooks, Brown. Goals: Murray 63, Doolan 78. Wrexham: Ingham, Roche, Pejic, Mike Williams, Valentine, Johnson (Crowell 85), Ferguson, Danny Williams, Done, Llewellyn, Marc Williams (McEvilly 46). Subs Not Used: Michael Jones, Spender, Gareth Evans. Booked: Roche. Goals: McEvilly 48, Llewellyn 55. Att: 2,837 Ref: J Moss (West Yorkshire).

Wrexham target Llanelli striker
Wrexham manager Denis Smith is trying to persuade Rhys Griffiths to join the Dragons on a professional contract. Griffiths, 26, is a fireman who plays part-time as a striker for Welsh Premier high-flyers Llanelli AFC. \"It will be difficult, but I will try to persuade Rhys that a move to the football league could reap big rewards over time,\" said Smith. Griffiths scored 28 goals for Port Talbot in 2005/6 to claim the Welsh Premier's Golden Boot award. He moved to the Reds in the summer, has previously enjoyed stints with Cwmbran Town, Carmarthen Town and Haverfordwest County, and is a Wales semi-professional squad member. Although Llanelli are a full-time club, Griffiths is one of their part-time squad members. Smith has harvested Welsh Premier talent to great effect in the past. He recruited Steve Evans from The New Saints in the summer, and the centre-back has gone on to represent Wales this season.

Smith angry at league's refusal
Wrexham manager Denis Smith says he should have been allowed to postpone Saturday's game at Hereford because of the injury problems at his club. \"I asked the league to call it off on Friday but they said they'd dock points if we did,\" he said after the 2-0 loss. \"I had (38-year-old assistant coach) Brian Carey on the bench and he hasn't played any sort of football since retiring two years ago. \"Only four of my first-choice 11 played and only two in their proper spots.\" To compound the Dragons' problems, Lee Roche will be suspended after picking up a booking in the game. \"I'm frustrated and angry,\" Smith told SSB. \"Lee's booking looked an awful decision and we've lost him now. \"The kids did well and that suggests there's a bright future at this club, but it's asking a lot of them to win these games - I feel sorry for the youngsters. \"I can't wait to put out my full side - it hasn't happened yet, but I think there's a team here waiting to take this division by storm. \"It's definitely not too late to do that. There are a lot of points to play for and I've got automatic promotion from this position before with Wrexham.\" Dragons striker Chris Llewellyn agreed with his manager's assessment, but said they must start winning soon. \"It's been one of those seasons with players unavailable, but we all know what a good team we could be when everybody's back,\" the Wales international told SSB. \"The youngsters need a confidence boost - at the moment we are playing well without winning. \"It's not too late to make the play-offs, but we're putting ourselves under a lot of pressure. \"First up, we've got a score to settle with Accrington Stanley on New Year's Day. \"They beat us 5-0 earlier in the season, so we'll be fired up and ready to go.\" Centre-back Steve Evans will return from suspension for Monday's game, and Smith says he hopes to have Danny Williams and Ryan Valentine back after bouts of flu.

Williams eyeing Derby Cup tonic
Wrexham midfielder Danny Williams says Saturday's FA Cup third round tie at Derby could help to lift some of the gloom hanging over the club. The Dragons are just two points above the League Two relegation zone, and Williams says the players are feeling the pressure. He said: \"Everyone needs a lift after losing to Hereford and Accrington Stanley and this game can provide that. \"There won't be any pressure on us so we can try to enjoy the occasion.\" Williams is set to return to the Wrexham side after missing the successive defeats over the New Year weekend with illness. Wrexham boss Denis Smith also hopes to have striker Juan Ugarte back from injury after missing the last four games. Smith will step up his search for new players this week, but admits Wrexham is not an attractive proposition for many players at present. He said: \"We need experienced players, we've got enough youngsters in the side. \"It's easy to say what players I want, actually getting them in is the difficult bit.\"

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