Story by Kevin Luff - 22nd December 2006

Darlington play their first game of a hectic Christmas schedule with an away trip to North Wales and Wrexham. Dave Penney's injury worries are starting to ease, particularly at the back. While options are still limited the Darlington boss has the defence which started at Lincoln City available to him.

Wrexham however face injury worries for the game. Wrexham could be without up to seven players for the game. Skipper Neil Roberts, Juan Ugarte and Mark Jones are definitely out and could be joined by Chris Llewellyn, Shaun Pejic, Danny Williams and Kevin Smith.

The Welsh side enjoyed a good start to the campaign but have since slid down the table and find themselves in nineteenth place in the table. With only two wins in ten games Wrexham are in need of a decent result ahead of the Christmas schedule. Quakers too could do with a decent result as well having lost their last three league games on the spin.

The Quakers boss has again appealed for his side to start their games quicker. The last three games in the league have seen Darlington turn in poor first half performances which have cost them dear - particularly at Stockport County. Penney is not leaving any stone unturned to find the solution to the problem.

"Looking at the last three games we haven't started particularly brightly. So you look at yourselves, do you need to do a different warm up and you look at what can we do to make them start brighter," said Penney. "The second half was a lot better and that's how we want to play. I think you look at anything which can give you an edge."

Wrexham secured a point in their last game. A 1-1 draw with Walsall has helped increase the confidence around the Racecourse ground ahead of the festive period. Wrexham right back Shaun Pejic is set to start against Darlington on Saturday and is hoping that the draw against the division leaders last week will stand them in good stead.

"Walsall are top of the league and I think we should have won the game in the end. The confidence in the squad is high and we're really looking forward to getting a result on Saturday," he said. "We've had ups and downs in the first half of the season with suspensions and injuries, but I think consistency is the key, we need to get a run of wins and that can start on Saturday."

Quakers follow up their game with Wrexham with a Boxing Day match at home to Mansfield Town.