PHIL PARKINSON will ring the changes for tonight's EFL Trophy second round tie against Burton Albion so players get valuable game-time ahead of the busy festive period.

Although it's a quick turnaround for Wrexham who were only in action on Sunday when they beat Yeovil Town 3-0 in the FA Cup to set up a third round trip to local rivals Shrewsbury Town, Parkinson utilised his squad in the group stages and will do the same for the last 32 clash with League One outfit Burton.

With matches coming thick and fast over Christmas, Parkinson says some players need some minutes under their belt so they are ready when called upon.

"Everybody knows that we have got injury problems at the moment," said the Reds' boss.

"We wanted to move the Burton game because of Sunday's game to December 19 but the EFL wouldn't let us do that.

"It puts demands on the squad so we will be freshening the team up completely like we have done.

"But equally, it is a great game for us, a home tie against a League One team.

"Like we have done in previous games, it is an opportunity for us to give players a game to get them ready for what is going to be a cracking Christmas period.

"I am really excited about that and in two weeks time, hopefully a few of those injured players start coming back and give us a huge boost going into Christmas."

Although he will rest his regulars, Parkinson was quick to stress that the replacements are not reserve players.

"We have got good players," he added.

"Will Boyle, for instance, has found himself out of the team because Tom O'Connor has played so well but he could easily be in the team and be one of our best players.

"Players like Luke Young and Jordan Davies need to play but they are not reserve players.

"They are first-team players who could easily get in the team and stay in the team like Andy Cannon has.

"This game is about them getting some minutes in a full-on game and a few of the youngsters are now going to play because we lost Aaron Hayden and we have got one or two other little niggles which is frustrating.

"But if we don't give younger players the opportunity in these games - on the bench or maybe one or two starting - then you are never going to find out whether they are good enough."