MATTY JAMES admits starting two League One games in quick succession was a shock to the system after a spell without playing and the experienced midfielder hopes he has done enough to keep his place in the side for tomorrow's visit of Barnsley.

The 33-year-old left Bristol City at the end of last season and was a free agent before he arrived at The Racecourse in October on a short term deal until January.

Handed his full league debut by Phil Parkinson for the 3-0 win against Exeter City nine days ago, James was again named in the side for last Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Lincoln City which kept the Reds second in the table.

James has impressed as the holding midfielder and the matches can't come quick enough after spending months without playing.

“Just to be back out there playing is unbelievable for me," said James. "To be getting wins is also an amazing feeling. 

"It's a group that are used to winning games and for me to start two games and win two games is everything that I wanted, everything that I was fighting for through the months that I was off.

"I am just looking forward to even more games coming up. I'm excited to be here and excited to keep playing

"It was almost taken away from me. For me to get out there, every time I take to the training field and every time I take to the pitch, I kind of treat it like my last one because I came very close to not playing football again.

"I'm grabbing it with both hands and enjoying it.

"The motivation is to stay in the team and to win football matches to take the club to the next level."

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A product of the Manchester United academy, James made 104 appearances for Bristol City in three Championship campaigns, scoring four goals, and previously enjoyed a long spell with Leicester City were he was a promotion winner and was with the Foxes when they won the Premier League in 2016.

Having made his Wrexham's debut in the EFL Trophy clash with Port Vale, he appeared as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Stockport before starting the last two games and he appreciated having a week to recover ahead of the  next fixture against Barnsley at The Racecourse tomorrow.

"It's almost like a pre-season for me," added James.

"Leicester were unbelievable allowing me to go in and do pre-season with them, but I didn't get the games. 

"I think I got just over 90 minutes against Exeter and about 75 minutes against Lincoln.

"I'm really pleased and I want to try and build on that in the coming weeks.

"I'd play tomorrow if I could. I just want to play as many games as I can, but the fact there is an opportunity to get a week between games is a good thing for me and I'll do everything I can to recover right and get ready for Tuesday's game.

"Prepare right, train well and then if selected, try and put in another good performance."