ROB DUFFY WANTS MK DONS START
Richard Williams - Wrexham Evening leader

Wrexham striker Rob Duffy is hoping he is in Brian Little's thoughts for a starting place at Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday.

Wrexham take on the League Two leaders at the stadium:mk without frontman Drewe Broughton who is currently on a one month loan spell with the Reds from MK Dons but is not allowed to face his parent club.

Fellow loanee Duffy has come in from Conference outfit Oxford United and after being limited to two brief substitute appearances, he is in contention for a first Wrexham start in place of Broughton.

Duffy, who has scored four goals in two reserve team outings for the Reds, has been withdrawn from the second string's squad that plays Accrington Stanley at NEWI Cefn Druids' Plaskynaston ground tonight (7pm).

With that in mind, the 25-year-old is now hoping to be part of Reds' boss Little's plans at the weekend.

"I am enjoying it at Wrexham," said Duffy today. "I have been here a couple of weeks now and am just starting to settle in as it always takes time at a new club.

"I have played a couple of reserve team games and scored four goals so I have to be happy with that.

"I haven't featured as much for the first team as I would have liked as I have only played a few minutes, but I have come in at a time when players in front of me have taken their chance. You have to wait and bide your time.

"I would like to think I have got a chance for Saturday. I will just have to see what the gaffer decides.

"I would love to be involved. When you are trying to impress, you want to be involved in every game. If I get my chance I have to do the best I can."

Duffy, who has Football League experience with Rushden and Diamonds, scored 18 Conference goals last season in 33 starts as Oxford reached the play-off semi-finals where they bowed out on penalties to Exeter City.

Chances have been limited this term for Duffy at Oxford who have failed to challenge for promotion, but he has scored six goals in 14 league starts.

And if presented with a starting opportunity at MK Dons' impressive new stadium, Duffy said he would not be daunted by the experience.

"I would not be intimidated," said Duffy. "There were a few times last season when we had 12-13,000 attendances and were selling out.

"And I was scoring goals.

"I don't think you can be intimidated if you are playing at a nice new stadium and pitch they've got. As a footballer you look forward to it."

Another loan striker, West Bromwich Albion's Stuart Nicholson, has led the attack with Broughton in recent matches, while Michael Proctor has also impressed Little and weighed in with two goals from the substitutes bench in the last three outings.

And with other players close to first team returns following injury, Duffy acknowledged the competition for places in attack.

"There is competition for places in every position, not only in attack," said Duffy.

"But there are a few players in midfield - Chris Llewellyn and Neil Roberts - who can play up front, as well as Drewe, Stuart and Michael.

"Paul Hall and Eifion Williams are coming back from injury and you have also got Marc Williams, so there is a scrap for a place in attack.

"If and when you get your opportunity you have to take it."

Wrexham go into the match on the back of a five-game unbeaten run and the result that started that impressive sequence was a superb 1-0 win against Paul Ince's Dons side last month.

Although still leading the table, the Dons have only picked up six points from a possible 21, losing three of those six matches, and last night throwing away a three-goal lead at Shrewsbury Town who came back to clinch a 3-3 draw.

And Duffy said Wrexham will make the trip in buoyant mood.

"Their results have not been the best lately," added Duffy. "There is nothing for us too fear as the lads showed the other week they could beat MK Dons.

"We got another good result on Saturday so we are unbeaten in five matches and confidence in the camp is growing with each game."

First team coach Martin Foyle admitted Duffy was in contention for a starting place on Saturday but stressed Proctor had done his chances no harm.

"Rob is in our plans," said Foyle. "Rob came here a bit rusty but he has a good attitude and has been working hard.

"He will be in every day this week trying to get him finely tuned for the weekend, but Michael has done well and given us food for thought.

"MK Dons are physical, are big and strong, and we will need a presence in the front line.

"When you are bottom you need hit the front man earlier and make it stick and Drewe has done well."