PHIL PARKINSON is keeping his fingers crossed that Tom O'Connor is not facing another injury lay-off.

The 24-year-old, a midfielder who has been in excellent form playing as the left-sided centre-back for the majority of the League Two campaign, sustained a slight foot fracture ahead of the 1-0 Welsh derby loss against Newport County on January 20.

Having returned to training earlier this month, O'Connor made his comeback as a 79th minute substitute against local rivals Tranmere Rovers at The Racecourse on Saturday.

Wrexham suffered a 1-0 defeat and although O'Connor, who was sidelined for 12 matches before his return to action, completed the cross-border derby Parkinson says the Irishman suffered a knee problem and hopes it isn't serious.

"Tom took a bad whack on his knee in a tackle so we will have to see how bad that is but it is great to have him back," said Parkinson, who hopes to have O'Connor available for the remaining eight games in the push for promotion.

"We have got a reserve team game on Tuesday and if Tom is not too bad, he will play in that.

"We will get a few other lads out on the pitch and get everybody ready for the run-in."

Wrexham threw everything at Tranmere who took an early lead but although the Reds dominated the contest, they lacked a killer instinct and struggled to create clear cut chances.

Parkinson, who made five substitutions in a bid to get something out of the game, feels his players' decision-making needs to be a lot better as Wrexham - currently third in the table - aim to secure a top-three finish and automatic promotion to League One.

"We have got staff and players who have been here before but it is key moments in games," he added.

"When it gets to this stage of the season, it is about making the right decisions; whether it is the manager making the right decision to change things or whether it is a player in the final third just picking that right pass.

"We had so much play, we were practically camped in and around their box, and their only danger was the counter attack which apart from that one moment we dealt with that well."