SAM RICKETTS will continue rotating his squad and says resting players is key to a successful season.

Ricketts has shown he is not afraid to make changes to his side for each game, even after Wrexham have won their previous match, but it has had the desired effect with the Reds second in the National League with 24 points from 11 games.

With a 22-man squad at his disposal - Leo Smith is currenly on loan at Llandudno - Ricketts is not short of options and keeping his players fresh is something he feels is important.

"The hardest thing is trying to pick 11 players when you have got all the players playing well," said Ricketts.

"Each game is different and I pick a team based on the game, how we are going to play, and what the opposition's strengths and weaknesses are as well.

"All players want to play every game, unfortunately that isn't the case.

"All we can do is keeping trying to win every game and that will take a full squad to do so."

Ricketts, who made three changes for Saturday's 4-1 win against Ebbsfleet United, added: "We will need everyone.

"We are only as good as our squad and the physicality that we brought to the game on Saturday we need to match for the whole season.

"I can't expect the players to do that two games a week, 40-50 games a season, so that is where it becomes important to rotate a little bit.

"Give players a week or couple of weeks rest here and there so when they do come back in, they hit the ground running."

Ricketts admits it is difficult keeping all his players happy.

"I can only pick 11 and can only pick five on the bench," said Ricketts.

"I would love to pick everyone. I am not not picking players for anything other than I am just trying to win that game.

"You are always going to get 11 happy, five so happy because they are on the bench and then a few who are disappointed personally.

"But when you win, and you win the game like we did on Saturday, players who haven't been involved come up and say how well we played, that is what it is going to take."

Chris Holroyd, who was leading scorer last season, came in for just his second start of the campaign against Ebbsfleet and bagged the opening goal.

"Chris was fantastic," said Ricketts.

"He has had to be really patient but he has never stopped working hard in training and making sure he is ready so when he does get his opportunity, he takes it like he did."

Holroyd and fellow strikers Stuart Beavon and Rekeil Pyke were all on target in the opening 20 minutes and Shaun Pearson scored in added time to cap a fantastic opening half, earning high praise from Ricketts.

"It was testament to the players all the hard work they have put in from pre-season and it probably gives them that reassurance that is what they can do," added Ricketts.

"It has given them the confidence to play like that when the game suits.

"What we have here is a good pitch, a big pitch, and we are able to pass the ball with some pace, power and purpose, and it certainly all came together in the first half."