Wrexham return to League One action on Tuesday night as Darrell Clarke brings his Barnsley side to the STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham players were able to rest up over the weekend as the attention turned to the second round of the FA Cup.
Defeat to Harrogate Town in November meant Wrexham crashed out of the FA Cup in the first round and had no fixture this past weekend.
Contrast that with Tuesday night’s opponents Barnsley, who were dragged to extra time and penalties to Bristol Rovers before falling to defeat.
Tykes boss Darrell Clarke has slammed his Barnsley players ahead of facing Wrexham and will be looking for a big response.
Wrexham’s home form is outstanding but Barnsley are strong on the road, meaning Phil Parkinson’s side will need to be right at it against the Tykes.
Former Barnsley ace set to start for Wrexham
Parkinson will certainly have welcomed that weekend break with Wrexham players recharging ahead of the busy festive period.
One player who may have benefited more than most is recent signing Matty James.
The 33-year-old midfielder recently joined Wrexham on a free transfer after leaving Bristol City at the end of last season.
James has been branded ‘outstanding’ by Parkinson and has certainly made a big impact at Wrexham.
The reality is though that James has only just returned to league football having started the season without a club.
James will have benefited from a break over the weekend and will be raring to go against Barnsley on Tuesday night.
This game sees James take on Barnsley having been on loan with the club not once but twice.
James joined Barnsley in 2017 and then returned in 2020, making a grand total of 33 appearances for the club across those two spells.
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How Barnsley reacted to James departure
James’ second departure from Barnsley hit hard.
The Tykes still managed to achieve a play-off spot in the Championship but chief executive Dane Murphy was gutted to see him go.
As quoted by the Barnsley Chronicle, Murphy praised James for his ‘ability, character and leadership’, believing that his impact at Oakwell could not be ‘quantified’.
“I cannot overstate the gratitude I have for all that Matty has done for the club in the first half of the season,” said Murphy.
“His ability, character, and leadership have impacted the squad in a way that cannot be quantified. He will be missed at every level and I am happy that he has been able to prove he is still an elite player,” he added.
Wrexham are now seeing many of those same traits with James still a quality player at 33.
Parkinson is likely to call upon James once again on Tuesday night and the former Manchester United talent will be keen to show Barnsley just what they are missing.