Wrexham are preparing for a vital clash against Mansfield Town, knowing that failure to win would be a crushing blow to any automatic promotion hopes.
Phil Parkinson’s side could head into the game eight points behind leaders Wycombe Wanderers in the final League One automatic promotion place and will be looking to improve on their home defeat to Leyton Orient.
Ryan Longman could replace James McClean after the skipper is set for a scan on a hip problem and may not be the only change with Andy Cannon set to play in midfield in the Wrexham predicted XI.
Wrexham will need to break a 41-year record by beating The Stags at Field Mill in a Football League clash but will need to be wary of one Mansfield star if they are to achieve that feat.
Wrexham need to stop Mansfield striker Will Evans
Wrexham won the reverse fixture at the Racecourse Ground 1-0 thanks to an early Ryan Barnett strike and the blueprint for victory was achieved that day by stopping Mansfield striker Will Evans from having any impact.
Evans was described as ‘unbelievable’ by his former manager at Newport, Graham Coughlan, as per the BBC and made the switch to Mansfield in the summer after scoring 21 goals last season in League Two.
The 27-year-old striker has continued that fine form this season by outperforming Paul Mullin, who he battled with last season for the title of League Two’s most potent finisher.
Evans could have signed for Wrexham in the summer and has since gone on to score 12 league goals for The Stags this season, meaning Parkinson’s side need to be aware of his threat.
Wrexham’s back three of Max Cleworth, Brunt and Eoghan O’Connell have looked solid in recent matches but know they will have their work cut out against the quality of Evans.
Evans a similar type of player to Wrexham’s Sam Smith
It is clear that Wrexham were interested in a player of Evans mould with the January signing of Sam Smith from Reading.
The forwards have both scored 12 goals in League One this season and are of a similar physical build with the ability to hold the ball up but also stretch defences in behind.
| Key Statistics this season | Smith | Evans |
| Age | 26 | 27 |
| Height | 1.81m | 1.85m |
| Appearances | 28 | 30 |
| Goals | 12 | 12 |
The key battle in the upcoming League One clash between the two sides will be which striker can get the better of their opposing defence.
Similar in stature, similar goalscoring record, Evans is certainly one to keep an eye on for Wrexham as they begin to reap the rewards of their own signing of Smith.