THE Dragons will face an Easter fixture list from hell after the postponed derby at bitter rivals Chester City was rearranged for Wednesday, April 12 (7.30pm), writes Paul Wheelock.

The match - originally scheduled for December 28 last year - comes slap bang in the middle of a month that will stretch Wrexham's paper-thin squad to its limit.

The Reds start with a trip to high-flying Grimsby Town (April

1), followed by a home clash against neighbours Shrewsbury Town (April 9). Three days after the visit to the Saunders Honda Stadium, Denis Smith's men are on the road again at Stockport County (April 15), before entertaining Bristol Rovers (April 17).

Wrexham officials had wanted the Chester away fixture to be played on Tuesday, April 4, but were told by the Safety Advisory Group that it was too close to the Racecourse meeting between the sides, which comes on Sunday, March 26.

The new date means the Dragons will play five games in 16 days - a schedule club secretary Geraint Parry believes will put unnecessary demands on manager Smith's squad, which is restricted under the rules of administration.

Parry said: 'We are not happy at all. It will put an increased pressure on our squad, which is already stretched because we can only have 20 players. Easter is an important, busy period as it is, and this will make it even more difficult.'

The new date brings a resolution to a saga that began last November when the kick-off time for December's original match was changed from 7.45pm to noon due to fears over the possibility of clashes between rival fans.

That enraged supporters on both sides of the border as the day was not a national holiday, meaning many were forced to miss the game, which was then postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Those with tickets for the original fixture are reminded that they are still valid for the new date. nWrexham's fixture headache was added to on Saturday when the trip to Macclesfield Town fell foul of the weather.

The match has now been moved to Tuesday, March 14. nAs the Mail was going to press, the Reds were preparing for Tuesday night's home clash with Rush-den & Diamonds.

They travel to Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Boss Smith has five first-team players on the sidelines, but topscorer Mark Jones - who yesterday looked set to win a call-up to the full Wales squad for the St David's Day friendly against Paraguay - is fit again after a knee knock.

Meanwhile, brothers Mike and Marc Williams and Levi Mackin will be part of the Wales Under 21s party that takes on Northern Ireland on February 28 .