WREXHAM will be thrust into the national limelight tomorrow in what could to be one of the most important days in their recent history.

As the Mail was going to press, the cash-strapped Dragons were facing the prospect of being placed into administration if a buyer cannot be found before tomorrow's deadline.

Failure to do so will result in Denis Smith's team being docked the mandatory 10-point deduction by the Football League - subject to appeal.

That would plunge Wrexham into a League One relegation battle, so last Saturday's 2-1 win at Huddersfield Town - their first in six league games - was a much-needed boost to the 16th-placed Reds.

The victory also boosted morale ahead of what is an important week for the club, on the field too, with tomorrow night's FA Cup match at Scunthorpe United, live on Sky, coming on the back of Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy quarter-final clash at Chester City.

Although a win over fierce rivals Chester would usually make most Dragons fans' season, the second-round game at high-flying Scun-thorpe arguably takes on greater significance for the club's future.

With Wrexham already netting £75,000 from Sky, victory would guarantee a further £24,000 for progressing to the third round.

What players will be available for the trip to Glanford Park remains to be seen, as the Race-course injury crisis shows no signs of subsiding.

Andy Holt and Chris Armstrong - goalscorers in the win at Huddersfield - picked up knock which made them doubtful for Tuesday's game, while veteran goalkeeper Andy Dibble has had a minor setback in his return to fitness.

And the Dragons were not helped by Hector Sam's dismissal for an alleged stamping on Saturday, which brings the forward a three-match ban.

Smith, however, disagreed with the decision. He said: 'I watched the match video half-a-dozen times and there's no way it was intentional foul. Hector's clattered into the lad and tried to jump over him as he's gone down.

'As far as the referee is concerned it's an understandable mis-take and I'm hoping he will rescind his decision before we have to take it to an appeal. If he doesn't change his mind, we'll have to accept his point of view - even though we disagree - and take it further.'

However, Sam's possible absence could give Spanish striker Juan Ugarte chance to continue his impressive start at Wrexham.

The ex-Real Sociedad trialist signed a contract with the club on Monday after two supporters agreed to pay his salary until the end of the season.

Ugarte said: 'I'm happy to be joining the club officially, as I've enjoyed my time here and feel settled.' PHONE YOUR SPORTS NEWS TO THE MAIL ON (01978) 351515 NEW ZEALAND BOUND: Jemma Carter Jones is the only Welsh player in the British Colleges team's trip to the South Pacific. vc291104hockey Thursday, December 2, 2004 Index to other pages on page 2 ..SUPL: