DAVID JONES was worried making wholesale changes would have a negative effect but his fears were allayed after seeing Wrexham beat Wolves under 21s 3-0 and book their place in the EFL Trophy knock-out stages with a game to spare.

Phil Parkinson has used the competition as a chance to utilise his squad and give players much needed game-time, and the Reds' boss named a completely different side to the one which started Saturday's 4-1 home win against Northampton Town in League One.

Although it was still a strong team, first-team coach Jones was concerned that ringing the changes would affect the quality of the performance but Wrexham produced a dominant display and led 2-0 at the break thanks to Lewis Brunt's first goal for the club and Paul Mullin's brilliant lob.

Mo Faal also opened his account after the break with an acrobatic volley as Wrexham clinched a comfortable win, and Jones was pleased with how the players performed.

"It was very good from start to finish," said Jones.

"It was important for those lads to get minutes but the worry with making all those changes is that you don't get a team performance, but the lads put in a real shift and worked their socks off, and the performance was there for everybody to see.

"We have got really good depth in the squad but the difficulty was mentally, are you ready to go as well as physically, but the lads were at it from the word go against a decent Wolves team with some good players.

"It is important everybody is really at it to perform when required on the pitch and what was pleasing was that it was a decent performance from the whole team, not just individuals, so loads of positives to take from the game moving into the international break."

Wrexham, who beat Salford City 2-1 in their opening Trophy match, are guaranteed a place in the last 32 of a competition they won in 2005 with a game to go.

The Reds head to Port Vale for their final group match on Tuesday November 12.

League Two outfit Vale have also booked their place in the knockout stages but the team who finishes top will be guaranteed home advantage in the last 32, with the second placed side facing an away tie. 

Wrexham currently hold a one point lead at the summit and Jones says there is still a lot to play for in the showdown at Vale Park next month.

"We want to do well in all the competitions that we play in," he added.

"There is always something to play for, whether it is individually or collectively as a team.

"Although we are through with a game to go, it is still an important game to get more minutes for individuals that need the games."