Heed eager to get one over old boy Manny
GATESHEAD head for North Wales tonight for a game against Wrexham and their former defender Manny Smith.
The ex-Notts County and Walsall centre-back was allowed to leave Tyneside in the summer despite being halfway through a two-year contract.
The 28-year-old returned to Wrexham and will have a quick reunion with his old Heed teammates at the Racecourse Ground.
Gateshead boss Neil Aspin said: “Hopefully Manny will not score two goals like he did during last week at Maidenhead.
“He is an experienced player and a good professional, who did well for Gateshead and there are no hard feelings with him.
“There were personal circumstances why he had to go and he will do well for Wrexham this season.”
Aspin is more concerned about the players still at Gateshead and the crop of new ones who came in during the close season.
Smith joined Gateshead last summer along with ex-Wrexham team-mates Wes York and Jamal Fyfield.
York scored 10 goals in 47 games for the Heed last year and is keen to get going after missing the first three games with injury.
Aspin added: “Having Wes back available is a bonus. I could have put him on the bench against Torquay on Saturday but decided to leave it a bit later.
“He scored spectacular goals last season and is the quickest player we have on the books, so it will be good to have him back in contention.”
Gateshead have picked up six points from three games while Wrexham, who have not won at home since February, have three.
A crowd of more than 3,000 is expected – and Aspin is looking forward to the test.
He said: “Wrexham are a big club with a large fan base and impressive stadium. It is always a big game there – and it is one we are looking forward to.”