DRAGONS PITCH IN TO HELP UNDER-FIRE McCLAREN
Mark Currie - Daily Post

WREXHAM have invited England manager Steve McClaren to take advantage of their state-of-the-art training facilities ahead of a vital European Championship match against Russia.

England's October Group E qualifier at the 84,000 capacity Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow will be played on an artificial pitch identical to that which was recently installed at Wrexham's Colliers Park training complex.

And Dragons director Geoff Moss, the driving force behind the £300,000 investment at Wrexham's Colliers Park training ground, has contacted McClaren's assistant Terry Venables to offer the England squad an opportunity to train on the surface before travelling to Moscow.

Moss said: "The French company that laid our artificial pitch also laid the one in Moscow and they are identical in every respect.

"As far as I am aware, there are only 12 similar pitches in this country and all the others have been put in at sports centres, making ours the only one at a professional football club.

"I have sent a note to Terry Venables telling him that we would be more than happy to make the pitch available to England for two or three days during their build-up to the match in Russia so that the players can get used to the surface, which is perfect.

"Since the Wrexham players began using the pitch last season it has proved to be worth every penny and, despite what some people say, they have had no problems whatsoever with their knee or ankle joints as a result of playing on it regularly."

Meanwhile, Racecourse boss Brian Carey continued his squad's pre-season preparations by putting out a scratch side for last night's behind-closed-doors friendly with Welsh Premiers outfit Caersws.

Trialist strikers Kaid Mohamed and Chris Simms were given another run-out alongside a mix of senior and reserve-team professionals, with the Dragons boss insisting that every first-team place was still up for grabs.

"We have another two games again next week, against Burnley and Newtown, and I'm keeping an open mind," he said. "Obviously I have an inkling of where we want to be but I'm trying to get away from the idea that we have a first-team squad and the rest.

"We want everyone here to feel involved in what we are doing and what we want to achieve, and that means that all the players have a chance to show what they can do."

With returning Spanish striker Juan Ugarte due to have his first training session today following his return from San Sebastian where has been undergoing rehabilitation from a hamstring injury, Carey has one squad vacancy he is working hard to fill.

But he said there was unlikely to be any news on that over the weekend, although striker Lee McEvilly could be on his way out of the Racecourse sooner than expected, with his former club Accrington Stanley believed to be interested in signing him.

The Racecourse boss, confirming that he had been contacted by a couple of clubs, added: "We need to get it done as quickly as we can for the benefit of all concerned."

MOHAMED LOOKING TO BUILD ON FAVOURABLE TRIAL AT WREXHAM
Simon Kendal-Williams - South Wales Echo

IF first impressions count, Wrexham trialist Kaid Mohamed did his prospects no harm at all with a stunning goal against Premiership opposition.

Just 10 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute in the friendly against Blackburn Rovers, the 22-year-old from Caerau Ely coolly rounded US international goalkeeper Brad Friedel and slotted home for the Dragons' only goal.

"It was a great feeling," he said. "And the goal gave me the confidence to make runs and take people on for the rest of the game.

"(Wrexham manager) Brian Carey had told me to go out there and enjoy myself, and that's what I did.

"After the game, he said I'd done well, as did Roy Evans.

"It was a big buzz to hear words like that from a footballing legend!"

Mohamed crowned a superb 2006-7 season for Welsh Premier side Carmarthen Town with two goals in May's 3-1 Welsh Cup final win over Afan Lido, and was recommended to Carey by ex-Old Gold boss Mark Jones.

The former St Mary Immaculate pupil has spent the last week training with the Dragons, and already has his sights set on a more permanent move.

"Playing at this level for a living is something I've always wanted to do," he said.

"I'm enjoying training and playing with professionals here, and I'd like to think I'm making a good impression."

Since making his Welsh Premier debut at the age of 18 for Cwmbran Town, Mohamed has scored 32 goals in 79 games. Two years as a substitute for the Crows was followed by stints at Llanelli and Carmarthen, but it wasn't until last season that he made his mark with 21 goals for the Richmond Park outfit.