TEENAGE striker Marc Williams says his rise from the youth team to the first team has been a 'massive step up' - but he admits he's savouring every minute.

The 17-year-old has made the breakthrough into Denis Smith's squad following a succession of injuries to Wrexham's established forwards.

When Williams has been called upon he has not let his manager down. Given fresh knocks to Jon Walters and Juan Ugarte, the Rhos-on-Sea youngster could be primed for more senior action.

Walters fractured his cheekbone in last Wednesday's FAW Premier Cup tie against TNS, while Ugarte is back having treatment at Crewe Alexandra after injuring his knee in Saturday's superb 2-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers.

That left Racecourse chief Smith with just two fully fit forwards - a situation he addressed with the emergency loan capture of Matt Derbyshire from Blackburn Rovers.

His signing means the best Williams can hope for at Macclesfield Town tomorrow is a place on the bench. But he won't be disappointed with that, as he thinks he has already exceeded his expectations this year.

Williams - who came on for the devastated Ugarte against Wycombe - said: 'I'm taking it a game at a time. I'm still only 17 so every game I get under my belt I'm happy with.

'I've probably achieved more than I thought I would this season, so we'll just have to see what the gaffer decides to do.

'Three or four weeks ago I was playing youth football so it's been a massive step up for me.

'I've been speaking to Kevin Russell about it and we've agreed I'm going to get on the weights to make me a bit stronger. Then I'll be able to cope more with the physical side of things. But I'm looking forward to the future.' Saturday's win - which knocked Wycombe off the top of League Two - was all the more impressive given the Reds' squad contained only four players over the age of 25. That should be the case again tomorrow, with new-boy Derbyshire another teenager.

Smith will hand the 19-year-old an instant debut at Macc as he knows all about his talents, having tried to sign him on loan earlier in the season.

Instead, Derbyshire went to Plymouth Argyle. But after being restricted to just three starts at the Championship side he returned to Premiership Rovers.

So when Ugarte suffered his set-back, Smith didn't hang around. The boss said: 'Matt is a player who I have watched for some time. He has plenty of pace and an eye for goal.'

Smith is hoping Derbyshire will be joined in tomorrow's starting XI by midfield inspiration and top-scorer Mark Jones (knee), who limped off on Saturday.

If Jones misses out, Levi Mackin could start, but only if captain Darren Ferguson (hip) fails to recover.

The versatile Dean Bennett (ankle) is doubtful, while centre-back Dave Bayliss starts a two-match ban. n Wrexham host Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday night (7.45pm). nThe Dragons will meet Swansea City in the FAW Premier Cup final -a repeat of last season's showpiece which the Swans won 2-1. nThe next meeting of the new Buckley & District Reds supporters club will be held at the Hope & Anchor in Buckley on Wednesday (7pm).