PHIL PARKINSON hopes resting players has the desired effect and his walked wounded will be fit and raring to go against Salford City at The STóK Cae Ras tomorrow.

Parkinson took the opportunity to utilise his squad for Tuesday's 3-0 EFL Trophy win at Crewe Alexandra which secured the Reds' place in the knockout stages.

After a busy spell of three League Two games in eight days, and with a number of players carrying niggles, Parkinson named a completely different starting XI to the side that began Saturday's 1-0 win at Crawley which took Wrexham up to seventh in the table, four points off top spot.

After giving the likes of Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin a breather, Parkinson feels they will benefit from having a free midweek.

"Those three games were tough and two of them were 10 versus 11," said the Reds' boss.

"There were a few carrying niggles, not major things.

"Ollie Palmer's thigh was tight, Steven Fletcher with his knee while Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin both had little things.

"We just needed to get them right this week because it was a tough week last week but we were pleased to come through it.

"We decided to keep them back at basecamp against Crewe and have a younger bench because equally, it was good for the younger players to get a taste of what it is like to be in a first team dressing room."

Wrexham picked up a deserved win against Crewe and Parkinson says it has given him food for thought.

"That is what you always want when you make so many changes," he added. 

"We have lost players in certain positions, a couple of suspensions."