Wrexham AFC return to action this weekend, looking to make it six wins from six after Tuesday night’s convincing victory against Dagenham and Redbridge.
The Red Dragons remained in second place as they brushed aside the Daggers in a 4-1 victory under the lights at the Racecourse.
Two goals each for both Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin set the tone in an empathic performance, which stands Phil Parkinson’s men in good stead for tomorrow’s trip to Southend United.
Team News
Manager Phil Parkinson elected to name the same side that won at Dorking in midweek, and the decision proved to be a successful one, making it five victories in a row.
Tom O’Connor remains a doubt as he is still suffering from a groin injury, while Reece Hall-Johnson and Bryce Hosannah continue to step up their recovery.
However, Parkinson revealed the positive news Rob Lainton has started light training again this week, following the sixth-month absence he endured due to a broken wrist.
Speaking on his ongoing recovery he said: “Rob has been back out on the grass, and it’s great to have his personality out there.”
For the hosts, they are still without forwards Harry Cardwell and Rhys Murphy, along with left-back Nathan Ralph as he is recovering from a ligament injury.
Goalkeeper Steve Arnold remains a doubt for The Shrimpers, who has been sidelined for a month with a back injury.
However, Wrexham could be reunited with a familiar face in Jake Hyde. The striker, currently on loan from the Club, made the bench in midweek after a short injury.
The Opposition: Southend United
It has been an up-and-down start for Kevin Maher’s side so far in the Vanarama National League, as they currently sit in 14th position.
Both their victories have come at home so far this season, and Maher will be hoping that he can follow the same blueprint that brought them success in those games.
In those wins, they kept two of their three clean sheets on their way to beating Oldham and Maidenhead.
Last time out, Southend were narrowly edged out on their travels by league leaders Chesterfield, who came from a goal and a man down to run out 3-2 winners at the Technique Stadium.
Previous Meetings
The most memorable meeting between the two sides this century came in 2005 in the LDV Vans Trophy Final, where the Red Dragons ran out victorious at the Millennium Stadium.
Juan Ugarte and Darren Ferguson’s extra-time strikes saw Wrexham lift the trophy in front of more than 36,000 supporters in Cardiff, after goalkeeper Ben Foster’s earlier heroics.
Last season both sides battled hard in two close encounters; with Wrexham coming back from two goals down to draw the game at Roots Hall, but back at the Racecourse an Ollie Palmer goal was enough to split the teams.
Follow The Action
Live audio commentary will be available via WrexhamPlayer, with match updates also posted to the Live Match Centre and the Club's official Twitter account.