DENIS Smith hopes to have the luxury of adding two recognised centre backs to his Wrexham team sheet this weekend.
Dennis Lawrence is due back from international duty in time for the League Two visit of Peterborough United, while the club are optimistic Paul Warhurst will finally be free of his groin trouble.
At Oxford United last Saturday the manager was denied eight senior personnel and had just one centre half - Dave Bayliss - at his disposal..
Yet some masterly juggling with the remains of his squad allowed the Dragons to claim a superb 3-0 victory.
However, the expected availability of Lawrence and Warhurst this weekend means Smith is likely to make changes for the clash with the Posh.
The manager said: "We are looking healthier defensively.
"We have Dennis back this weekend and Paul hopefully should be fit for the game.
"We are still a few defenders short of where we would like to be, but things are looking better."
After a torrid run of luck with injuries, Wrexham now look to be over the worst of it.
"I hope we are," added Smith. "Players coming back to fitness gives us room to move other people around in the team a bit more. Fortunately we have a few players who are versatile enough to be able to do that.
"Danny Williams moved from midfield to play at the back, while Dean Bennett played at left wing back. He has already played right wing back and up front.
"The young lads who have come in have done really well.
"Mike Williams came in and did a marvellous job."
Further down the line some of Smith's other casualties are showing progress.
Wrexham are hopeful Andy Holt will not have to undergo surgery on his injured knee after the defender saw a specialist this week. As a result he could be back playing in a couple of weeks.
Centre back Shaun Pejic is training again after a lengthy knee problem and is expected to make a return to action in around a month.
Knee victim Jim Whitley had an hour in the reserves on Monday, but is still some way off a return to first team football.
Meanwhile, loan striker Juan Ugarte has returned to Crewe Alexandra after failing to shake off a knee injury.
The Basque star only managed 45 minutes of first team football during his second spell with the Dragons.
However, Smith will for the moment hold fire on bringing in reinforcements from outside the club.
The manager added: "Although we are looking at players all the time, we will manage with what we have got for the time being."
