PHIL PARKINSON believes Tom O’Connor will benefit from playing a full game and his performances will become more consistent.

Since joining Wrexham from Burton Albion during the January transfer window, O’Connor’s appearances have been restricted because of injury.

After making two starts and a substitute appearance during the opening three weeks of the season, the midfielder then had another lay-off before making his comeback in Saturday’s epic 7-5 win against Barnet at The Racecourse.

Parkinson felt O’Connor, who was on the scoresheet with a free-kick that took a huge deflection, had a mixed afternoon but believes the 23-year-old will come on for the 90-minute run-out.

“We put Tom in because he needed to get some game-time,” said Parkinson.

“I thought it was a good game for him to play and he started the game really well.

“Then, in sync with the rest of the team, had some slack moments but became better towards the end.

“It was important he got those minutes in.

“Tom is a good player, he is undercooked in terms of his minutes because he has not played a lot of football but he is a class player and at times he showed that, and at other times he needed to move the ball quicker.

“But that is a great lesson for him, that kind of consistent level of performance throughout the game, but he will show that now he has got that game under his belt.”

Playmaker Elliot Lee produced a man of the match performance in just his third start of the season while captain Luke Young, who completed the midfield trio, scored his first goal for the Reds since May 2021 with a terrific long range effort.

Parkinson was surprised it has taken Young so long to get back on the scoresheet but never doubted his skipper’s ability.

“We have all been waiting for Youngy to get a goal,” said Parkinson.

“Our supporters know from before I came here that Youngy is a terrific striker of the ball.

“In training his ability to shoot from distance is excellent.

“It hasn’t quite happened but he has not let it affect his general play.

“He has kept plugging away and I am pleased for him to get the goal.”