Danny O’Brien will be out to prove a point when he returns to the Racecourse with Chester FC this weekend.

The Wigan Athletic winger linked up with Wrexham on loan at the end of November but the arrangement ended when his parent club recalled him.

Dragons boss Gary Mills wanted to keep the 19-year-old, however the Latics were unhappy O’Brien had been restricted to three substitute appearances.

Chester moved for O’Brien last month and he has started each of the last six games, which has delighted Wigan’s academy manager Gregor Rioch.

O’Brien too is grateful for his chance with the Blues and hopes to contribute to them completing a league double over Wrexham for the first time since 1960-61.

He said: “I felt when I went to Wrexham I played well when I came off the bench but unfortunately I didn’t get the game time I wanted and that was the reason I got recalled. It’s a massive game for us and it’s a massive game for the fans. It’s one of those with it being a local derby that you don’t need to be told how big it is and you don’t need to be geed up for the game. We’re all looking forward to the game, especially me.”

Danny O'Brien during his loan spell with Wrexham earlier in the season
Danny O'Brien during his loan spell with Wrexham earlier in the season

Chester, who have lost once in five cross-border derbies as a fan-owned club, recorded a 3-2 triumph when the rivals last clashed at the beginning of October with goals from John Rooney, Tom Shaw and Kane Richards.

Wrexham will start as favourites for this weekend’s fixture however thanks to an eight-game unbeaten run which has taken them to the edge of the National League play-offs while the Blues find themselves struggling at the other end of the table.

READ: Danny O'Brien says youthfulness of side behind inconsistent form

The commonly used cliché is that form goes out of the window for these kind of matches, but O’Brien reckons Chester should be confident of getting a result, particularly with the devastating performance in the 8-2 demolition of Aldershot Town fresh in the minds of the team and supporters.

“One thing I’ve noticed playing in this league is that any team can beat anyone,” said the Leigh-born teenager.

“I noticed that when I was with Wrexham over Christmas and they got beat by Southport two games on the bounce when Southport were supposed to be one of the lesser teams.

“I do think we can beat anyone and after the performance against Aldershot teams will be thinking ‘we’ve got a game on our hands’ because we look solid and we’ve shown we can score goals whether that’s first in the league or bottom of the league.

“The Aldershot was a massive game and a bit like the Altrincham game where we needed the win. It’s lifted the players, the fans, the coaching staff and I think it was a huge win and showed how good we actually are.

“Maybe in a way it’s a bit frustrating that we’re in the position we are in considering how well we can play when we’re on form.”