WREXHAM have covered for Andy Dibble's injury absence with a move for a keeper at the opposite end of the experience spectrum.

Dibble, who turns 39 in May, will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right arm in two places during Saturday's crushing defeat at Peterborough United.

The much-travelled veteran's unlucky break left manager Denis Smith facing a race against time to find a shot-stopper for Tuesday's visit to Queens Park Rangers - a match played while the Mail went to press.

But Smith beat Monday's 5pm registration deadline by a couple of hours, tying up a one-month loan deal for 23-year-old Sunderland keeper Michael Ingham, who was expected to be given the nod over second choice Paul Whitfield at Loftus Road.

Said Smith: 'This takes the pressure off Paul and makes sure we have cover for a very important position in the team.

'I have been on to a number of clubs looking for an older player, but after talking to Mick McCarthy at Sunderland, I had no hesitation in accepting his offer to bring Michael on board.'

Although an outstanding PFA loan prevents Wrexham from conducting other transfer business, goalkeepers are usually exempt and this cleared the way for Ingham's arrival.

A former Northern Ireland Under-21 international, he forced his way into the Black Cats' first-team squad last season, appearing on the bench a number of times in the Premiership.

He made his first start in Sunderland's Worthington Cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday in September 2001.

Ingham, who is back-up to Mart Poom at the Stadium of Light, has been farmed out to Stockport, Carlisle, Darlington and York in the past two years.

The 6ft 4ins keeper also went on loan to his old club, Cliftonville, in the 2001 campaign, making his final appearance for them in January.

Ingham, who is eligible for Northern Ireland despite being born in Preston, first came to Smith's attention last season when he starred for York in a 1-1 draw at the Racecourse.

Only an 88th-minute strike from Andy Morrell denied Ingham the clean sheet he deserved.

Dibble, meanwhile, was released from hospital on Sunday following an operation on Saturday evening and has been told he should be fit to play again in three or four months, according to Wrexham physiotherapist Mel Pejic.

'Andy's in a fairly optimistic mood after having a plate inserted in his forearm,' said Pejic.

'The specialist has reassured him that everything should be okay and that he can look forward to getting back to training in time for the start of next season.' Racecourse boss Denis Smith, who had feared on Saturday that the veteran's career could be over, said: 'I'm very pleased for the lad and hopefully he'll be back even more quickly than that.' Wrexham are looking forward to back-to-back games at the Racecourse.

On Saturday (March 20) they entertain Swindon Town in the league before facing Cardiff City on Wednesday (March 24) in the semi-final of the FAW Premier Cup. Denis Smith has been offered a new long-term contract by chairman Mark Guterman.

Smith this week confirmed the subject of a new deal had been broached but the Racecourse boss said an extended contract was not an immediate issue.

'It's nice to be offered but I haven't got time to think about that at the moment,' he said.