JAKE HYDE is pushing for a starting place at The Shay and the Wrexham striker wants to mark his return to Halifax Town with a Reds win.

The 31-year-old joined the Reds in the summer from the Shaymen where he scored 12 goals in 27 league appearances during the 2020-21 campaign.

Having made his comeback from a calf injury as a second half substitute in Saturday's goalless draw at home to Wealdstone, there will be no room for sentiment tonight with Hyde focussed on helping Wrexham pick up three points.

"It will be the first time I have been back there so it will be an interesting one," said Hyde.

"It will be nice to go back but I am fully focussed on doing the job and getting three points first and foremost."

When asked whether he is expecting a good reception from Halifax supporters, Hyde added: "You would like to think so but you never know.

"I am a Wrexham player now and the bigger thing for me is getting three points, getting back in the team and scoring goals.

"That is what I have got to be focussed on.

"As much as it will be nice to go back and see some old faces, it all means nothing if we don't get the three points."

The Wealdstone stalemate came on the back of two big away wins where Wrexham scored 11 goals against lowly Aldershot and King's Lynn.

Hyde, who had a good chance to break the deadlock following his introduction as a second half substitute, was disappointed not to make it a hat-trick of victories but the frontman remains upbeat.

"Lately we have had some good results and through our own high standards we want to win games like that against Wealdstone, but at the same time we haven't been beaten," said Hyde.

"We had plenty of opportunities to win the game, myself included, and you have got to take the positives moving forward.

"We have got another really tough game against Halifax and it is about pushing on again.

"We are a brand new team so it takes a little time to click but we are getting stronger and stronger each week.

"We are all pushing in the right direction which I think is massively important.

"We work hard all through the week to try and win a game. It might be disappointing not to get three points on Saturday because of our own high standards but two wins and a draw, if you carry on that form you will be there or thereabouts."

Hyde has endured a stop-start season since arriving at The Racecourse but with three league goals in eight league outings, the striker is eager to put his injury problems behind him.

"It's horrendous when you can't play and help the lads so it is nice to be back but it was not the start I personally wanted," added Hyde.

"But I am chuffed to be back and in contention; as a footballer you want to be out there playing so fingers crossed that is all behind me now and I can kick on.

"I will be working as hard as I can to get back fully fit and as sharp as I was."