PHIL PARKINSON wants all his players to be ready and raring to go if called upon against Swindon Town at The County Ground this afternoon.

Wrexham go into the game on the back of Saturday's 2-0 Welsh derby win against Newport County which keeps the Reds' third in League Two, six points behind leaders Stockport County with a game in hand.

Eoghan O'Connell, who made his comeback from a thigh problem the previous weekend when the Reds beat Colchester 2-1 at home, sustained an injury in the warm-up and was replaced in the starting line-up by Max Cleworth.

The young centre-back impressed Parkinson who stressed the importance of players taking their chance when they get it.

"We had two homes games and it was important we got the maximum points from those and we have done that," said the Reds' boss.

"Now it is about looking after ourselves and making sure everybody is ready for Swindon like Max was on Saturday.

"Eoghan's calf tightened up before the game and I didn't want to take a risk on that.

"Max stepped in and I thought he played really well.

"The way he has trained the last two or three weeks, he has really upped his game and he deserved his opportunity.

"He was ready and he really took it.

"I think that is absolutely key. You just never know in football when you are called upon.

"We had a couple of bits of bad luck with injuries.

"Ollie Palmer strained his calf on Thursday which is obviously a loss, although it was counter-acted with Steven Fletcher coming back in."

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, brought in on a season-long loan from Arsenal on transfer deadline day, had to undergo minor surgery after suffering a jaw injury in the 2-2 draw at Harrogate Town on November 28 but he was back between the posts against Newport in place of Mark Howard.

Okonkwo, wearing a protective mask, kept a clean sheet sheet on his return and Parkinson added: "I thought Arthur was excellent.

"He pulled off two really good saves which are key moments in the game."