WREXHAM have moved quickly to arrange a midweek reserve team match tomorrow with manager Denis Smith anxious to ensure that every fit member of his senior squad is playing regular football.

The club had hoped to schedule an outstanding Avon Insurance League Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers this week but have instead agreed to play a league fixture against Port Vale at Newcastle Town (7pm).

Smith said: "The first team are going well, the reserves have picked up too in recent weeks and even the kids are doing better, with the under-17s drawing 2-2 against Manchester City and the-19s only losing 1-0 in what was virtually the last kick of the match.

"Things are starting to come together and I want to keep the momentum going. Reserve team matches are important at the moment, with most people fit and looking to play.

"Players like Brian Carey, Kevin Sharp, Robin Gibson and Martyn Chalk need games and I want to get Dan Bennett involved as well."

Smith is also looking ahead beyond the end of the season, adding: "I need to look at some of the younger players too because I've got to start considering who will be staying on when I know what my budget is going to be for next year."

The Dragons' boss said he was optimistic that injuries sustained by youngsters Steve Roberts and Steve Thomas at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday will not keep them out for t h i s weekend's trip to promotion-chasing Brighton & Hove Albion.

Roberts limped off at Loftus Road after 53 minutes with a knee problem and goalscorer Thomas, who lasted the whole game, was receiving treatment yesterday for a tight hamstring.

Club physiotherapist Mel Pejic reported that the injury to Roberts was not serious.

"It's a slight problem at the back of the knee but nothing major," he said. "It's something he had for a couple of days last week and a block tackle in the first half aggravated it.

"He had some discomfort behind the knee when he was kicking the ball and it was getting awkward for him to carry on. But I would have thought he should be all right for Brighton because it's nothing major."

Albion, who moved to within two points of second division leaders Reading when a Junior Lewis goal secured a 1-0 win against Huddersfield Town, will be without leading scorer Bobby Zamora against Wrexham following his sending off the previous weekend. The Red Dragons will have Darren Ferguson available again after his one-match ban.

The game at the Withdean Stadium is all-ticket and travelling Wrexham fans must buy their tickets, priced at £16.50 and £10.50, from the Racecourse ticket office before close of business on Friday evening.

* QPR's Nationwide second division promotion hopes have suffered a blow after striker Karl Connolly was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Connolly sustained knee ligament damage during Saturday's 2-1 comeback win over his former club Wrexham at Loftus Road.

Boss Ian Holloway is now desperately short of attacking options, with Connolly joining leading scorer Andy Thomson on the treatment table.

Holloway said: "It's like an emergency ward at the moment.

"We are still missing Andy Thomson, who needs to train more if he is to get fully fit, and now we have lost Karl. "To get promotion you need experience and we have lost attack-minded players.

"We can't afford to lose any more."