PLAYER-BOSS Andy Morrell believes Kevin Thornton would be a useful addition to his squad if the midfielder proves himself after recovering from injury.
Former Coventry City and Northampton Town man Thornton joined Wrexham on trial in pre-season but, after overcoming an outstanding injury from last season, he then dislocated his left shoulder in a trial game against Mansfield Town last month.
Although he has not been offered a contract yet, Morrell admitted Thornton could have been handed his chance because of injuries and suspensions to other players and is looking forward to having the 26-year-old back in training.
“Kevin is doing his running and stuff. It will just be the contact side of it that he will struggle with,” said Morrell.
“I am expecting him to be fit when he comes back into the contact side of it, because he has got this time that he can’t do it but he will be able to run.
“We have had a little chat and I think he is fairly positive about things, so let’s get him back in. He will be able to join in warm-ups fairly soon I would have thought.
“He was gutted because of the timing of the injury, he would probably have had a chance by now with the injuries and suspensions we had the other week but I am sure stuff like that will happen again.
“If he trains hard and gets fit, there is a chance he will make us a bit better. It will be good for him to get back out training again because it is frustrating for him.
“He has had a long run of bad luck and needs to just train for a few months, get his head straight and play.”
Morrell has not ruled out bringing in a player before Saturday’s trip to Braintree Town and believes the arrival of a loan signing would boost his squad.
“There are a few things but nothing that is going to happen that quickly I don’t think, but we will see,” said Morrell.
“If I think a player gets thrown at me or I see a player that could make us potentially better then we see if we can do something.
“Obviously it is restricted with budgets; I was quite hopeful at the end of the week that something might come off but we will have to see.
“We are trying. It is just to brighten the place up a little bit. When Andy Bishop came in, it pushed everybody else on so I am hoping that something like that might do the same again but it might not happen.
“But if it did happen then I think it makes us a bit better.”
Morrell is hoping centre-back Martin Riley (hamstring) and striker Rob Ogleby (ankle) will be available at The Amlin Stadium this weekend.
“Martin did some sprinting so I am hoping he might be back in the fold by the weekend and hopefully Rob will have progressed giving him that extra week so maybe things are looking a little bit brighter than they were doing,” said Morrell.
The Wrexham squad will have an overnight stay before facing Braintree and Morrell is expecting a tricky test.
“We might even go a little bit earlier on Friday and train down there,” added Morrell.
“We will see what we can do because I think Sheffield Wednesday are staying in the same hotel so I don’t know if they want the pitch or not.
“Braintree are a tricky team – a bit indifferent but can cause teams trouble on their day.
“It is like any other game in this league. We are going to have to be at it to get anything out of it.
“It is a tough place to go down there, you have got to get mind and attitude right; if you get that right then we will have half a chance.”