MARK CARRINGTON hopes to put his injury problems behind him and play a prominent part in Wrexham's promotion challenge.

Carrington, who joined in September 2013 and is the current longest serving Reds player, made his comeback from a hamstring injury as an early substitute in Sunday's 2-0 cross border derby win against Chester.

Having spent two months on the sidelines after last featuring in the 4-0 victory over Torquay on January 6, Carrington was delighted to make his comeback.

"It is good to be back," said vice-captain Carrington. "I played the second half against Torquay and in training the next week, I had a weird hamstring.

"We couldn't work out if it was hamstring, my back or what, and didn't really get to the bottom of it.

"But it settled down, I got back into training and was back in the squad for Sunday.

"It is never nice to be out but luckily the lads have been doing really well and didn't really miss me too much.

"But it is good to be back now and hopefully help the promotion push."

Carrington was introduced earlier than even he expected against arch rivals Chester, coming on for injured centre-back Manny Smith after just 11 minutes.

"You don't expect to be thrown in so soon, especially for Manny," said Carrington, who played at left-back with David Raven moving into the centre of defence.

"He is a warrior and doesn't normally come off.

"You have just got to get on with it, I came on and just slotted in at left-back and kept it ticking over.

"I was pleased to come back in, keep the unbeaten run going and get another clean sheet."

Carrington helped Wrexham keep a 20th league clean sheet of the season, setting a new club record.

"It is an unbelievable stat and hopefully there are a good few more before the end of the season," said Carrington.

Victory leaves Wrexham eight points behind leaders Macclesfield Town and Carrington says there can be no let-up from the Reds in the final nine games.

"Everyone is just focussed on getting the club out of this league," said Carrington.

"We have had a good season so far and it would be a shame if we did not continue it and take the club up which we have got a great chance of doing.

"We need to capitalise on that. It is nine cup finals and we have to win as many as we can and see where it takes us."

Although delighted to complete the double over Chester, Carrington admits Wrexham need to back it up with another win at Woking on Saturday.

"Winning in the derby and the bragging rights but at the end of the day it is just three points," said Carrington.

"We move on to the next game and if we don't win at Woking then it is not as big of a win so we need to make sure we carry it on."

Carrington, one of the players who are out of contract in the summer, would love to extend his stay at The Racecourse.

"I have been here for five seasons now and I would love to stay for longer," said Carrington.

"If that is what the manager has in his plans, that would be ideal for me."