CUPS haven’t been kind hunting grounds for Wrexham so far this season, but they have already reached the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy ahead of this evening’s dead rubber with Port Vale.

The Northern Group B tie at Vale Park will again give Phil Parkinson the chance to hand his fringe and squad players some action and a point will guarantee the Reds a home draw in the last-32.

A trophy run could so easily be seen as a distraction, but it could prove to be beneficial for Wrexham as they continue their quest for back-to-back-to-back promotions. One thing that should be up for discussion is whether U21 Premier League sides should continue to participate. Supporters of tier three and four clubs have long been unhappy with this trophy system, which was adopted back in 2016, but with top flight U21s now also being invited to compete in the newly-formed National League Cup, these questions need to be asked.

For me, it should be one competition or the other for these youthful teams and the EFL Trophy should revert to being a 48-club competition.

OUR PREDICTIONS:

PORT VALE 2 WREXHAM 1 NICK HARRISON

PORT VALE 1 WREXHAM 2 RICHARD WILLIAMS

PORT VALE 1 WREXHAM 3 SHAUN DAVIES

THE SCORES SO FAR... RICHARD WILLIAMS 13; SHAUN DAVIES 12; NICK HARRISON 12