PHIL PARKINSON is short of midfielders for tonight's clash against MK Dons but he says Wrexham will adapt.
James Jones limped off with a hamstring injury in Saturday's 1-0 home win over Notts County which took the Reds up to third in League Two, three points behind leaders Stockport County with a game in hand.
George Evans (glute) missed the victory while Tom O'Connor (foot) has been out of action since last month and although Parkinson is not short of options in defence and attack as the Reds continue a frantic February at Stadium MK, he will assess his walking wounded before deciding who will line-up in midfield.
"We have got good a selection up front, players like Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe at the back and Ben Tozer who wasn't in the team on Saturday, Luke Bolton and Jacob Mendy, so we have got a lot of players," said Parkinson, who also saw wing-back Ryan Barnett hobble off at the weekend.
"Obviously we are a bit short in the midfield area but we will adapt to that and we will manage that.
"We have still got options. You are going to get injuries, that is part and parcel of the game, and we got a couple on Saturday so we will have a bit of a headcount.
"We will have a good look at the injured players and think long and hard about the team for MK Dons but go down there ready to give a good account of ourselves, and see if it is good enough on the night."
Captain Luke Young, who has appeared as substitute in the last two games, could come into the midfield - Andy Cannon and Elliot Lee are set to keep their places - if Evans and Jones are not passed fit.
"I am pleased for Luke to get on the pitch again because it is hard when you are out of the team," said Parkinson.
"But what it is always important for me, Steve Parkin, Dave Jones and Aidan Davison is the way the lads who are out of the team train, and Luke has been brilliant for us.
"You have got to put Will Boyle into that category as well, it is so important."
O'Connor, who impressed as the left-sided centre-back before suffering a slight fracture in his foot ahead of the Welsh derby defeat at Newport on January 20, remains sidelined.
"Tom is still a way off," added Parkinson.
"He had the scan on Wednesday and it is heeling well so we are pleased with that but he has had a boot on for the last four weeks and he is doing a lot of cardio work in the gym so hopefully he is ready to play his part because he is a class player."
The clash against fifth placed MK Dons is the first of three successive away games with Wrexham on the road at mid-table Gillingham on Saturday before heading to second bottom Forest Green Rovers next Tuesday.
"We are ready for that," added Parkinson. "We are prepared for that."
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