Dragons look for Daggers delight
VICTORIA ROAD 3pm DAG & RED v WREXHAM FOLLOWING their FA Cup exit, it’s back to National League matters for Wrexham this afternoon and a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge.
Despite their cup exit at AFC Fylde, Dean Keates’ Dragons are on a 10-game unbeaten run in the league which has taken them up to fifth spot and are only three points off leaders Macclesfield.
However, Wrexham are winless in four previous meetings with Dagenham & Redbridge, drawing one and losing three and have suffered 3-0 defeats on their two previous visits to Victoria Road.
Today’s opponents Dagenham are sixth in the table, only two points behind Wrexham and Keates expects the East Londoners to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.
“It is going to be a tough game,” said Keates.
“For me, they will be the team that if you can finish above them then there is a good chance you’ll finish in top spot.
“Their manager, John Still, is experienced, he has been there, done it and got the T-shirt so to speak, and they were right in the mix last season.”
Keates should have a fully-fit squad to pick from and has been further boosted with the news he now has on-loan Fleetwood striker Alex Reid back and available until November 25 – taking him to the maximum 93 days for a short-term loan.
Reid began his first Racecourse stint with a bang, netting off the bench on his debut against Gateshead back in August and scored three in this first four games.
He has made 12 league appearances, nine of which have been starts.
“I’m grateful to Fleetwood for allowing Alex to return and this second period will see him in the squad for another seven league fixtures,” said Keates.
“He certainly started with a bang when he first arrived and let’s hope for a few more goals over the coming weeks.
“I played alongside Alex at Rushall Olympic, so I know what he is capable of and he is certainly gaining experience by playing first-team football in the National League.”
Midfielder Daniel Sparkes and defender Luke Pennell could return for Dagenham & Redbridge, who are looking to bounce back from their own FA Cup exit, having been eliminated by Leyton Orient.