Sidebar

29
Fri, Mar
28 New Articles

Typography
WORLD Cup hero Dennis Lawrence insists he won't let next summer's finals in Germany distract his promotion goal.


The 6ft 7in Wrexham defender says he is big enough to handle the media attention already coming his way after Caribbean minnows Trinidad & Tobago were drawn in England's World Cup group.

But Lawrence has targeted automatic promotion from League Two as a FIFA ruling would force him to take a watching brief in the end-of-season play-offs.

Apart from Champions League finalists, no World Cup-bound players are allowed to play after May 15, and that would rule Lawrence out of a possible play-off final date on May 27.

"It would be very disappointing if that happened and I would miss such a big game for the club," said Lawrence.

"So I hope it doesn't come to that. I want automatic promotion, and I think we are good enough to do that.

"We are in a good position (eighth) in the league and just need to keep picking up points."

Lawrence - whose headed winner against Bahrain booked Trinidad & Tobago's place in Germany - has been in demand for interviews since last week's World Cup draw.

But he said, "It's not going to affect me at all. I know why people want to talk to me, so the media scrutiny is not going to change me as a person.

"It's not going to affect my performances for the club."

Lawrence expects to shrug off a sore side sustained in the 1-1 home draw with Notts County seven days ago to take his place in the Red Dragons' rearguard at Carlisle today.

The 31-year-old has been named in a jumbo 20-man squad with manager Denis Smith's injury problems finally easing.

Long-term absentees Andy Holt, Shaun Pejic, Simon Spender and Jim Whitley will all travel, the latter in a Wrexham squad for the first time for nine months.

Also included is seven-goal striker Lee McEvilly, who plans to play over the congested holiday programme despite fears he has a stress fracture of the foot.

Smith said, "Lee has not complained in training this week. It's not a problem and he wants to play."

Immobilising McEvilly's foot would rule the Northern Ireland striker out for three months, so it seems likely the 23-year-old will be nursed through to the January transfer window at least.

Carlisle - 1-0 winners at the Racecourse back in August - have also had some good news over their 15-goal marksman Karl Hawley.

It had been feared Hawley required a hernia operation which would have sidelined him for six weeks.

But Hawley has been told a fortnight's rest or an injection should clear up the problem and he is free to test himself against Lawrence and co.

Hawley could be partnered in attack by former Leeds and Sunderland star Michael Bridges, who has scored in his last two appearances, playing on the left side of midfield.