NEIL Taylor is in the first team squad to face Stockport County, following his recovery from an injury picked up playing for Wales U21s in France a couple of weeks ago.

This is very good news for manager Brian Carey, as he saw his two senior left backs injured within minutes of each other during last Tuesday night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy game against Macclesfield Town.

First Mike Williams, in for his first start of the season, was forced off with a pulled muscle in his back, then Ryan Valentine followed him to the dressing room after stretching for a ball and feeling his groin pull.

The pair are sidelined for this weekend's visit to Stockport County, which could well mean a debut for the Ruthin based Taylor, who turned professional in the summer and impressed supporters with his performances during pre-season friendlies with both Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers.

Neil has also been progressing well in the international level with Wales, captaining the U19s during the week long Milk Cup Tournament in Northern Ireland and then being promoted to the U21s for their opening European Championship qualifier away to France.

He has just been named in the U19s squad to play their round-robin group games in Hungary early next month and will no doubt feature when the U21s face Malta at the Racecourse on October 17.

At the moment Neil is just taking things in his stride.

"I've just been concentrating on getting fit over the last couple of weeks," he said. "As I want to get back to playing football again.

"If that means a chance with the first team at Stockport, then I'll gladly take on that challenge.

"I enjoyed those friendly games, but I know I have to keep proving myself each week in training and with the reserves.

"Once a chance with the first team comes along, then I want to make sure I'm ready to play my part."

With three of the starting XI that produced an improved performance on Tuesday night out due to injury and another two suspended, the boss will be shuffling his pack once again

Also coming into the travelling party will be striker Juan Ugarte

"I'm happy to be back with the first team," said the Basque front man.

"I will probably be on the bench, but I'm excited about the chance to be close to a return to the Football League."

It is over nine months since he last wore a red shirt in the first team and even that was only a fleeting return. During the last two year he has played in only nine senior games for both Crewe and Wrexham.

His last appearance at Edgeley Park, in April 2005, did see him hit a hat-trick as the Dragons won 4-1 on the day, during a losing battle to fight off the effects of a 10-point Administration deduction.

For Stockport County, manager Jim Gannon was on hand to witness for himself the events of our defeat to the Silkmen:

"I think Saturday will be a huge game for Wrexham and it was very disappointing for them on Tuesday, I was at the Racecourse for their game against Macclesfield.

"I've had my complaints against referees, but Brian Carey must be pulling his hair out because the referee was awful on the night.

"Not only did he give a disputed penalty against them but he also sent two players off.

"On top of that they had three players come off injured, both fullbacks and one of the forwards

"It was a really bad night for Brian and it has just added to his woes.

"They haven't had the start people were expected, and I was expecting a little bit more from them with the squad they've got, but I do feel that over the next three or four months they will improve.

"This a big game for Wrexham and one they can't afford to lose."

With four draws out of their six league games so far, County find themselves down in 14th spot in League Two.

"The secret of the first couple of games was that we were able to freshen up the team with subs that came on and carried the game on another level in the last 20 minutes," he said.

"Unfortunately because of the injuries the squad has been diminished a little bit."

The latest to be sidelined is Anthony Pilkington, who suffered ankle ligament damage in an accidental training ground collision with keeper Conrad Logan earlier this week.

Pilkington, who will be out for around four weeks, joins an injured list that includes Liam Dickinson, Rob Clare, Michael Rose and Chris Adamson.

But Gannon is confident that his squad has the ability to battle through.

"There are some players who are playing well at the moment, but there are also a few that I'm just waiting to get going.

"There are players that are playing below their standards.

"If they were playing as well as they were last year we'd be flying now and we'd be picking up those wins.

"They just have to get that self-belief and confidence back that was the basis of their success last year.

"If they get motoring now there's a lot more to come from individuals, a lot more to come from the team and let's hope we see it Saturday."

Reports: Manchester Evening News & Stockport County FC