Glen Little insists he has still got a big part to play and can help Wrexham realise their promotion dream.
The experienced midfielder has been out of action with a knee injury sustained in the 2-2 draw against Dartford on September 22 but the 37-year-old is confident he can reproduce the form shown in the second half of last season when he returns to action.
“I look at it and at this stage of the season last year, I wasn’t even in the squad,” said Little. “I think I came in at the end of November. It went really well and we had a great time, I felt in great form.
“Your experience tells you there is still a lot of football to be played and there is still plenty of time to come back and have an impact.
“But after finishing last season and really enjoying it, I was hoping to have a full season and try to help the team win promotion.
“There is still a long way to go and a lot of games where I can contribute and help the boys get the right results. I have always been confident in my ability, I don’t worry about that.”
Although Wrexham were knocked out of the FA Cup after suffering a 4-2 first round defeat at the hands of Alfreton Town on Saturday at The Racecourse, the Reds are among the Conference frontrunners and Little says winning promotion was always the priority.
“You just want to get out there because you want to show what you can do and help the team win matches,” said Little. “You just hope by the time you come back we are still in a good position.
“We are still doing alright. I know it was a disappointing result in the cup. We had a cup run last year but we have to go up.
“We are out of the cup. Let’s concentrate on the league and have a good crack at it.”
Little has been a frustrated figure watching Wrexham from the sidelines – he has missed the last eight games – after suffering one of the worst injuries of his career.
“It is horrible,” said Little, who made his Derry City debut in November 1994 while on loan from Crystal Palace. “Other than my Achilles’ injury, it is the longest I have ever been out.
“I’ve been in the game a long time and it is the first time I have ever injured my knee. Usually people have had operations and cartillages but my knee has always been fine so to get this injury has been frustrating.
“I am usually out with little strains and things for a couple of weeks and then back so it has been hard watching it. I thought I’d be back by now but it is one of those horrible injuries, they are slow and so niggly.”
Fans’ favourite Little, who counts Burnley and Reading among his former clubs, hopes to be back playing again soon after stepping up his rehabilitation programme.
“I am actually out running now and doing the work outside which is good. The next stage is all about kicking the ball,” added Little.
“I feel alright running. It is just with the inside of the knee when you are striking the ball it is still a bit tentative so I will just pick it up in the next couple of weeks.
“But it has been tough going for someone like me who loves being out there. Just watching the boys training, you are desperate to get involved.”