EXCITED fans are talking about what might happen in the January transfer window but Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is fully focused on the four games that will finish off a memorable year.

Parkinson led Wrexham out of their non-league nightmare last season as the Reds lifted the National League title and returned to the Football League for the first time in 15 years.

And sitting in second spot in the League Two table heading into tomorrow’s clash at home to Colchester United - the club where he began his managerial career 20 years ago - Parkinson admitted: “We’re in a good place.”

Wrexham are six points off top spot and have home games against The U’s and Newport before visits to Swindon Town on Boxing Day and Walsall on December 29.

And Parkinson revealed this week that he hopes to have a number of players currently on the injured list returning for what will be a hectic period.

Arthur Okonkwo, Rob Lainton, Ryan Barnett, Anthony Forde, Bryce Hosannah, Eoghan O’Connell, Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe and Steven Fletcher are currently sidelined but the Reds boss is optimistic some are closing in on a return.

“We have had injury problems but hopefully we are going to have a few of the lads back in the next couple of weeks and we are going to need that because the strength of this group is the squad and the depth we have got,” he said.

One of the injured players, wing back Ryan Barnett, will hope he’s back in action for the mouth-watering FA Cup third round clash at his former club Shrewsbury Town next month.

Barnett, who has been out with knee ligament damage since October 24, feels he has adapted well to life at a higher level having joined Wrexham from non-league side, Solihull Moors, last season.

“The one thing I would say is teams seem a lot more clinical and mistakes get punished more than in the National League,” said Barnett.

“There are obviously better teams that have come down from League One and we have still got tough teams to play but I think we are doing well. The team is gelling really well.”

Last Saturday’s call-off at Forest Green Rovers means the Reds will be will rested for the visit of struggling Colchester where another 10,000-plus crowd will pile into The STóK Cae Ras.

“It’s an exciting time for the fans. It will be great to have fans on all four sides for the game against Newport,” added Parkinson, who took in Newport’s FA Cup replay win at Barnet in the week to spy on the South Walians ahead next week’s visit up north.

“Obviously the temporary stand won’t be open this weekend but Wrexham fans always crank up the atmosphere at home games.”

Colchester head to town having lost their last four games but boss Matthew Etherington insists he’ll come up with a plan to try and stop free-scoring Wrexham.

“We are playing against a team with a huge budget, huge fanbase and with the talk of the the owners there’s a real feelgood factor there,” said Etherington, who welcomes back striker John Akinde.

“But we’ll go there with a plan.”