Howard grateful to contribute after hitting landmark

Mark Howard admits he's grateful to be adding value since returning to Wrexham's starting line-up after making his 400th career appearance.

Goalkeepers Arthur Okonkwo and Callum Burton have both been sidelined through injury of late, paving the way for Howard to feature in five successive matches.

He made his 400th career appearance during Wrexham's 2-1 win against Blackpool at the Stok Racecourse on 26 December.

And the 38-year-old is grateful to be contributing having had to settle for a place on the bench at best for the majority of his career in north Wales to date.

"I'm delighted to be back in the team," he said.

"It's never nice to get in the team through someone being injured, and unfortunately we've got two at the moment.

"For me personally to have achieved my 400th game, I don't want to look at the stat for the amount of times I've been on the bench, I think there's another 400 in there that I've missed out on.

"It's really good to feel like I'm adding value to the team again, not just off the pitch.

"To feel like I've come in and taken over from what the other two have done, it's nice to be back in there and show some of the younger ones that I can still do it."

Victory against Blackpool at the midway point of the campaign ensured Wrexham - who sit third in League One - kept the pressure on the current top two Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers.

And Howard feels Wrexham's squad and staff deserve immense credit for putting the club firmly in contention for a third successive promotion.

"To go back-to-back and then put ourselves in this position is an incredible achievement," added the veteran goalkeeper.

"We all want to keep knocking on the door to try and push out of this league.

"To be where we are is full credit to the staff and players. It's an unbelievable achievement."