Wrexham are back in League One action once again on Tuesday night as Phil Parkinson welcomes Richie Wellens and Leyton Orient to the STōK Cae Ras.
The relentless schedule is really ramping up for Wrexham now.
Phil Parkinson’s side have already played four times in February, winning each of those fixtures in the process.
Wrexham’s 2-0 win at Northampton Town over the weekend was a real boost in the promotion race but it’s back to the STōK Cae Ras on Tuesday night.
Leyton Orient are the visitors and Richie Wellens’ side will certainly be no pushovers as they chase a shot at promotion themselves.
The O’s have won 11 of their last 14 League One games and sit sixth in the table, eight points adrift of Wrexham.
Parkinson believes that Wrexham are ready for battle as this busy period continues, but Orient promise to be a tough proposition.
Wrexham’s Ollie Rathbone shares Leyton Orient verdict
Wrexham must be better than the last time we saw a home league game under the lights at the STōK Cae Ras.
Stevenage walked in and ruined Wrexham’s unbeaten home record, securing a 3-2 win back in January.
Wrexham’s only home game since then was the EFL Trophy win over Bolton Wanderers, so it’s important that Wrexham don’t have a repeat of that Stevenage nightmare here.
Ollie Rathbone is showing off his goalscoring quality for Wrexham and, after scoring against Northampton Town on Saturday, he is now focused on Orient.
The Wrexham midfielder has told BBC Sport that the Stevenage defeat was ‘really disappointing’ but Wrexham can still be proud of the home record so far.
Rathbone is looking to take some momentum into facing Leyton Orient but accepts that they are on a ‘brilliant run’.
Rathbone added that he and Wrexham won’t take Orient lightly, vowing to really treat Wellens’ side with respect as they chase a play-off place.
“It was really disappointing but if you’d have said at the start of the season that in February we’d lost only one league game at home then we’d have taken it,” Rathbone said.
“It was really important we bounced back against Bolton [in the EFL Trophy] and then we’ll hope to carry on our winning run on Tuesday.
“They’re [Leyton Orient] in play-off contention and on a brilliant run since the start of the year and we won’t take them lightly,” he added.
Leyton Orient receive unwelcome distraction
Orient will be a tough nut to crack on Tuesday night and they pushed Manchester City all the way in their recent FA Cup tie.
Tottenham Hotspur loanees Josh Keeley and Jamie Donley provide real quality and Wrexham must be wary of another home struggle after that Stevenage game.
Orient’s preparations come just as boss Wellens attracts interest though, which is a potentially unwelcome distraction ahead of their trip to North Wales.
The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports that Blackburn Rovers are interested in appointing Wellens as their new boss following the departure of John Eustace to Derby County.
Orient want £250,000 for Wellens though and will hope that their price tag scares Rovers away.
That situation is unlikely to develop before Tuesday’s game but Wrexham will be looking to exploit and potential crack in the armour given Orient’s exceptional form.