I'M JUST GLAD TO BE BACK VOWS ACE MIDFIELDER
Mark Currie - Daily Post

MIDFIELDER Mark Jones returns to the Wrexham squad for this afternoon's match against Brentford and is hoping for the chance to make an immediate impression on manager Brian Little.

Jones, sidelined since mid-October with a back injury that forced him to miss seven games, returned to training only last week, so he is anxious to make up for lost time.

And the Dragons boss dropped a heavy hint yesterday that the Wales international will be among the substitutes, even though he is obviously short of match fitness.

Jones, together with Silvio Spann and Gareth Evans, has been added to the 16 players who were on duty at Dagenham & Redbridge last weekend and the 23-year old is delighted.

"It was very disappointing to be injured when the gaffer joined us because first impressions are important and everyone wants the chance to show what they can do from the start," said Jones.

"But I've been back in training for more than a week now and I'm pleased to be in his thoughts for tomorrow. I'm a bit rusty because our last reserve game was called off, but we had a full-scale practice match on Monday."

Jones, whose contract is up at the end of the season, said he would not be surprised if Little made efforts to strengthen his squad next month and insisted he was happy to compete for his place.

"It's a good time to be coming back because we have a busy period ahead of us and the manager might need to use everyone in the squad at some stage," added Jones.

"At the moment, though, my aim is to force my way back into the side and that's what I'm concentrating on at the moment

"I think we'll see some new faces here in January and everyone is in the same boat at the moment. We have to work hard in training and in games and it will be up to the manager and the coaching staff to decide what is best for the club."

Little said Jones was one Wrexham player whose reputation had preceded him prior to his own arrival at the Racecourse last month and is pleased to have him available once more.

"Mark has done really well on the training ground over the past couple of weeks and he's got something a bit different to offer the team," he said.

"I knew about him before I came and I have to say he looks to be a very good player, who is very much in contention to be in the final 16 tomorrow. But I won't be telling the players who is involved until tomorrow."

Much as he wants a return to winning ways this afternoon the Racecourse boss said the game would have a minimal impact on the Dragons' prospects for the remainder of the season.

That's not to say that Little is hoping for anything less than three points from the club's last home appearance before Christmas, but experience has taught him to take individual results at face value.

And he wants his players and the club's fans to take a more pragmatic view of the situation in which the Dragons currently find themselves - one place off the foot of the Football League.

In the eyes of many supporters who made the long trip to London last weekend, Little's honeymoon came to an abrupt end in the wake of the 3-0 defeat at Dagenham.

For the manager it was just another step towards the goal of ensuring that the club avoids relegation at the end of the season.

"Last week didn't go well, but I said what I had to say straight after the game and within 15 minutes of that one finishing we started thinking and talking about this one on Saturday," he added.

"I think I learned more from losing that than from the other games we've had and we've been working hard this week on a style which we feel can win us the game against Brentford.

"My job is to be successful and at this moment in time we are in a relegation fight. I don't want it go as far as relying on the last kick of the final match of the season but I'd settle for that if necessary.

"As of now, though, this next game is the most important thing on my mind, but if we don't win it won't be the worst thing in the world. If we win, I'll probably be happier than anyone because it's my responsibility to make things turn out the way everyone wants.

"But whatever the circumstances, I'll keep my feet firmly on the ground and all I can ask the players to do is to show the fans in every game that they are trying their best to win.

"Their attitude in training this week has been spot-on and they are determined to do that, there is no question about that."

LITTLE WARNING FOR DRAGONS
Darren Devine - Western Mail

WREXHAM boss Brian Little has warned his players to be wary of a Brentford side galvanised by the appointment of caretaker manager Andy Scott.

Former assistant boss Scott moved up a rung following a league run of five straight defeats that saw the Bees concede 12 goals without reply.

Before Scott replaced former England centre-back Terry Butcher the run included a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of ex-Dragon Darren Ferguson's Peterborough United side.

Little said, "Their manager has changed and the players will feel responsible for that and there will be a reaction from them.

"I don't think for one minute you can just look upon it and say, 'They've lost five in a row so here comes a win for Wrexham.'

"If it was that simple we would all be retired millionaires, having won the pools on several occasions."

But, having warned his players to be on their guard Little is also challenging them to boss today's League Two contest from the outset.

"It's going to be a real scrap for both sides, but the most important thing is to try and get our play right first.

"They're the away side and they have to come and make it harder for us.

"We have to try and be aggressive in our play - in the sense of trying to win the game and get goals and get at them."

Little believes a win in today's Racecourse meeting would leave his players in confident mood going into a busy festive period that could define their season.

"It's well known as being a very important time for teams. Once this little run is over you're virtually halfway through the season.

"You can see what you've done in the first half and you really know what you've got to do in the second half to achieve whatever your goal maybe. It's a very important period for us."

Little has seen midfielders Silvio Spann (face) and Mark Jones (back) return to the squad for the first time since he took over on November 15.

While both men offer an abundance of guile and creativity, Little has also been keen to develop the defensive side of their game since taking over.

"I can see the talents they've got, but I'm trying to encourage them that the other side of the game is very important as well.

"Sometimes players are just encouraged to continue in the way that they play. Silvio and Mark, and others included, have all been encouraged to work hard at their defensive duties and then to let other things take their course.

"In terms of what they've done on the training ground, they've not disgraced themselves on the defensive side of the game and, hopefully, they'll understand that's very important to me as a manager.

"I don't want to stop them being creative, but just to choose the right time to be creative."

Brentford go into the contest without defender John Mackie, who serves out a one-match ban after picking up a fifth yellow in the 1-0 defeat to Morecambe on December 4.

WALES LOOK FOR DUTCH FRIENDLY
Paul Abbandonato - Western Mail

WALES are arranging a friendly game away to Holland for Sunday June 1.

John Toshack's team will play the game in Rotterdam against, fitness permitting, Ruud van Nistelrooy and co.

Final contracts to ensure the glamour game goes ahead are close to being signed.

Wales are also arranging a game against further decent opposition for May 24, with the game again played away from home. The two matches will complete the warm-up fixtures for Toshack's side as they build towards the 2010 World Cup qualifiers which start in September.

Other games have been arranged at home to Norway in Wrexham on February 6, away to Luxembourg on March 26 and at home to Georgia on August 20. The Georgia match will be played at either the Liberty Stadium or Ninian Park.

BRIAN LITTLE: REDS ARE READY TO BOUNCE BACK
Richard Williams - Wrexham Evening Leader

BRIAN LITTLE is confident Wrexham can recover from a first defeat under his leadership and get a favourable result against Brentford at The Racecourse tomorrow (3pm).

A three game unbeaten run under Little came to an end last weekend as Wrexham suffered a 3-0 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge.

That result plunged Wrexham back into the relegation zone, but Little remains positive that Wrexham can bounce back against fellow strugglers Brentford - four points and four places above the Reds who have a game in hand.

"We are back in the bottom two, and back under pressure, but it will be a test of our mentality and solidarity," said Little today.

"We all need to be in the right frame of mind, and I have to pick a team that will win.

"I am sure we will get a response from them. Everyone wants to do well. Even though we played poorly last week, no-one can say we didn't try.

"We will give it everything we have got, and hopefully come out with the right result."

Little admitted that his team selection had been wrong at Dagenham last week.

Having started with a 3-5-2 formation, Wrexham found themselves trailing 1-0 at the break and switched to a 4-4-2 system for the second half.

Two late goals eventually killed off the game, and Little, who had seen his side unbeaten in the two previous away games that week, accepted the blame for defeat.

"Last week was potentially a harmful week with three away games," said Little. "We drew with Rochdale who have proved to be a good team and then beat Bury.

"It was disappointing to lose at Dagenham. We did not play well first half but we changed it for the second half and should have got something out of it, but we let in two poor goals at the end.

"I learnt a lot about the players and myself. It was my fault with the team that I picked.

"I think that is being upfront, but even when you win you should analyse yourself, and be honest enough to say if you got it right.

"I have been a manager for more than 800 games and am 50-odd but still make occasional mistakes.

"Win, lose or draw, you have to make decisions which may be unsuccessful."

Little has taken on board the circumstances of defeat against Dagenham which he believes will be beneficial to the Reds in the coming months.

And the 54-year-old said there will be changes to the side for the visit of Brentford, who parted company with manager Terry Butcher earlier in the week by mutual consent and who will have his former assistant Andy Scott temporarily in charge tomorrow.

"At the start, Dagenham were better than us but I think that if we were winning 1-0, I would have changed the system," added Little.

"It opened my eyes to one or two things which will be of advantage to us in the future.

"Had we lost and been unlucky it would be a different matter, but something on the day did not work.

"We know how Brentford will play and I will pick a team that will hopefully win. There will be a couple of changes. I think it is right to do that.

"We have worked hard this week, and tried different people in different positions, I am looking for a good result."

WREXHAM (from): Anthony Williams, Steve Evans, Pejic, Hope, Baynes, Garrett, Roberts, Llewellyn, Valentine, Proctor, Marc Williams, Aiston, Done, Johnson, Taylor, Spann, Gareth Evans, Spender, Michael Jones.