North West Wales

Image source, Getty Images

James McClean believes Wrexham are "more than a match" for anyone in League One after they returned to winning ways with a 4-1 triumph over Northampton Town.

McClean netted twice to add to goals from Jack Marriott and Elliot Lee as Phil Parkinson's side moved to within two points of league leaders Birmingham City following the Blues' 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic.

Victory came after Wrexham - who sit second in the table after the opening 10 games of the campaign - failed to score in their previous two fixtures - against Leyton Orient and Stevenage.

And McClean feels Wrexham are more than capable of challenging their promotion rivals this season if they can produce high performance levels on a consistent basis.

"You look at the squad we have and the quality we have, when we're bang at it, we're more than a match for anybody, but you have to be bang at it every game," he said.

"If you ease up or you're a little bit off it like we have been in the last couple of games, the results speak for themselves. You can't afford to do that.

"This team is built on hard work. We've got the quality, but first and foremost we need to work hard, and when we're at it and it clicks like it did today, it's a joy to behold."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport head coach Nelson Jardim has challenged captain Aaron Wildig to have his best goal season yet.

The 32-year-old is Newport's top scorer this season having netted four times in the league playing in a role behind the main striker.

He notched ten goals in helping previous club Morecambe to promotion from the fourth tier in 2021, when the Shrimpers beat Mike Flynn’s Newport in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

And Jardim said he has set Wildig the target of going beyond that tally.

“He is such an important player for us and I was spot on when I named him and James Clarke as captains," said Jardim.

“I don’t hide it, I like players like Aaron. He is very technical, he has that craft in front of goal and final third movement.”

Wildig added to his tally in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Salford City at Rodney Parade, just three days after beating Crewe.

Newport will be without Matt Baker who is with Wales under-21s preparing for their crunch qualifier against Czech Republic at Rodney Parade next Friday.

Ciaran Brennan is an option but Newport hope Clarke could make a timely return to the defence having been sidelined since August with a leg injury.

Jardim admitted the joint captain has been missed.

“Unfortunately, we saw that in a bad way but, looking for positives, that gave an opportunity for others to be exposed and that only makes them improve," he said.

“The fact he was not there was not good. He could not help the youngsters but they actually learned because he was not there. It's that improvement and progress we are looking for."