Risking key players in EFL Trophy would be 'madness'

Phil Parkinson will make wholesale changes for Wrexham's EFL Trophy tie against Port Vale on Tuesday (19:00 GMT) after suggesting it would be "madness" to risk key players after the busy festive period.

Wrexham travel to League Two side Vale in the third round of the competition, and Parkinson will give opportunities to fringe players to prevent his leading men suffering from burnout.

"There's no way lads who've played a lot of football can be risked in that game," said Parkinson.

"It would be complete madness to do that. A few of them deserve a well-earned rest now."

Wrexham played four games in nine days over the holiday period, three of which they won with late Steven Fletcher goals, but they are not in action in League One again until 16 January.

That gives Parkinson a chance to rest many of his first-choice players and allow the likes of Elliot Lee, Lewis Brunt, Luke Bolton and Ryan Barnett the chance to recover properly from injuries.

"Because of the injuries, our ability to freshen the team up over Christmas and New Year was limited," said Parkinson.

"So I've had to ask the same lads to keep going.

"We know it's our job, getting on with things, but there's a few we've been sending out there strapped up. I've got to make sure we give those lads a bit of time off now."

Parkinson said striker Jack Marriott is "not far away" from returning after suffering a broken leg in October.

Another long-term injury absentee, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, made his comeback in last Saturday's 1-0 win over Peterborough after two months out with a broken wrist.