JAMES JONES says winning promotion with Wrexham would be the ‘icing on the cake’ after his wife and son both made it home following the ‘fight of their lives’.

Jones could be forgiven if he wasn’t 100 per cent focused on Wrexham’s title challenge after baby Jude was born 15 weeks premature on November 19.

The midfielder had to come off early during that day’s 2-0 win against Aldershot at The Racecourse after partner Chloe was rushed to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Jude, who weighed just 640 grammes, was immediately transferred to the neonatal unit at Royal Bolton Hospital, and Chloe also remained in intensive care.

Chloe was discharged from hospital just before Christmas and, following a tough four months, Jude was allowed home for the first time last week.

Jones thanked all the staff at the two hospitals who have helped his family through such a difficult time.

“Chloe was at the Aldershot game with my parents, she felt unwell and they took her to hospital,” said Jones.

“My dad managed to get a message to security, they got a message to the gaffer and he took me off early in the game.

“A few hours later she had a C-section. She was due March 3 so Jude was 15 weeks premature; really early, I didn’t even think that could be a thing.

“Both Chloe and Jude were really unwell.

“Because of his gestation, Jude was given 70 per cent survival chance but one in seven chance of severe disability. He has done so well to be where he is now.

“Even Chloe was in intensive care for a good spell too so the pair of them have done really well, they have been so strong.

“Chloe got discharged from hospital just before Christmas but we stayed living in the hospital to be with Jude, and he was discharged last Tuesday.

“I think it was 122 days he spent in hospital.

“Chloe has made a full recovery and Jude is doing well. He is back home, breathing by himself and has made loads of progress. He is now weighing 6lb 12 oz so he has come a long way from where he was at.

“Wrexham Maelor and Royal Bolton both did a great job so a big thank you to the two hospitals; to be where we are now is great.

“Also a big thank you to family, the club, the gaffer, all the staff at the club, the lads and Spoons, a neonatal charity who have been very helpful as well.”

Jones had a spell out of the team after Jude was born, mainly appearing as a substitute.

Although concerned for his wife and son, the 27-year-old says continuing to train and be involved on matchday was a release and he thanked manager Phil Parkinson for helping him during a difficult period.

“The gaffer has been really good through all this. All the staff have been, especially at the start,” said Jones. “Football is important but your family has to come first and I feel the gaffer got that balance right.

“He gave me a bit of flexibility to be where I needed to be.

“I came out of the team for a spell while I was going through all this.

“At the time I was a bit disappointed but I think it was the right decision because I probably wasn’t in the right headspace.

“He was looking after me but he was also looking after the team.

“I knew I could still have an impact and a role coming off the bench, and still be a part of it.

“I knew it would be a long journey with Jude so it wasn’t like I couldn’t play football or do anything for 15 weeks - it’s been longer than that now.

“Having a break from being in the hospital 24/7 helped me. You need some good stuff going on when you go through things like this.”

Jones, who has started the last four games and helped Wrexham extend the unbeaten league run to 27 matches in the race for the title, hopes to finish the job off.

“I can look forward to finishing the season off now and getting Jude settled,” said Jones.

“Things are looking up and promotion would be the icing on the cake.”

Second-placed Wrexham, on the same points tally as leaders Notts County with two games in hand, beat York City 3-0 in the last outing on Saturday.

Jones thought he’s got his name on the scoresheet to make it 1-0 when his shot hit the crossbar and crossed the line after hitting the goalkeeper but it went down as an own-goal

Despite not adding to his tally, Jones says picking up another win was the priority ahead of the final seven games of the campaign.

“As long as it has gone over the line, that is the main thing,” he said.

“It would have been nice if it went down as mine but I will take the three points which is all that matters.

“We were the team in control and it was nice to give ourselves a bit of breathing space at the end with the two goals.

“One down, seven to go.”

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Wrexham are back in action at home to Oldham Athletic on Saturday and Jones is lining up another win.

“We know we can beat Oldham because we have done it in the past,” said Jones, referring to two wins against the Latics already this season.

“We have got to approach it in the right way and hopefully tick another one off.”