DEAN KEATES has had to wait longer than he wanted to get the Stockport defeat out of the system but the Reds’ boss is looking for a positive response against Dover Athletic tomorrow.

Wrexham lost 2-0 at Edgeley Park in their last game on December 28 but following two postponed matches, the Reds face Dover at The Racecourse in their first match of the year.

“It’s been strange,” said Keates on the near three week break.

“We are in unprecedented times but times we have got to get used to by the looks of it.

“This break has felt a lot longer than it has been, you just want to be back it, but we have had a good couple of days training coming into the weekend.

“It will be a good test for us but we have to get a reaction.

“It has been longer than we wanted to wait after Stockport but you can only play the hand that you are dealt and this is the next game.”

Although they don’t have a game on Tuesday, Wrexham will then go into a busy spell of midweek matches but Keates will be well-equipped.

“We have got virtually a fully fit squad so there will be opportunities if anybody picks up a niggle over these games coming up in quick succession,” said Keates.

“We will have a chance to put bodies in.”

Bottom of the table Dover have only played 11 games - the least amount in the division - due to coronavirus postponements but Keates won’t be taking the Whites lightly.

“It is going to be a difficult game,” said Keates. “I watched the game on Tuesday and they definitely deserved a point against a Boreham Wood side who are finding form. Dover more than matched them.

“You can’t look at the league table, Dover have been hit worse than anybody by Covid and are so many games behind but I expect them to get out of the position they are in by the end of the season.”