PHIL PARKINSON is pleased his side's next game against Birmingham City is on Monday night because it gives some of his players extra time to recover from knocks.

Unbeaten Wrexham took 13 points from their opening five matches and are top of League One following last Saturday's 3-0 home win against arch rivals Shrewsbury Town.

Parkinson took the opportunity to rest his regulars for Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Salford City in the Football League Trophy when he named a completely different side to the one that started the cross-border derby.

Although he wanted to give players a welcome breather, the likes of captain James McClean and playmaker Elliot Lee have been carrying niggles and Parkinson feels having an extra 48 hours will give them a chance of being passed fit to face promotion favourites Birmingham at St Andrew's.

"It is the next league game coming up and we have got an extra couple of days to prepare for it which I think is good for us because we have got one or two knocks," said the Reds' boss.

"George Dobson had a dead leg and needed to be rested against Salford and Elliot Lee has got a slight problem so a few will get huge benefit from those extra two days, and I don't think the game needs any building up.

"We just adapt the week accordingly and we have got that plan in place already as we always do as a staff. Sit down and try and get the detail and the preparation right because it is really important.

"We will go down to St Andrew's and look to give a good account of ourselves."