YOUNG Liverpool striker Robbie Foy has joined Wrexham on a four-month loan and is set to make his debut for the Dragons against Doncaster Rovers this evening.

Racecourse boss Denis Smith yesterday acted swiftly in response to a mini-crisis sparked by injury and suspension to bring in the Anfield 19-year old, who has been training with Wrexham since last Thursday.

Even so, Smith has only been able to name 15 professionals for tonight's Carling Cup first round clash and will reinforce his squad later today from the club's youth ranks.

The Dragons have lost wing-backs Lee Roche and Simon Spender to a groin strain and suspension respectively. Striker Lee McEvilly is also ruled out with an ankle injury, so there is a chance that another new recruit, Paul Warhurst, could make his debut.

"Robbie has spent four years in Liverpool's reserve side and it's come to a stage in his career when he needs to be playing regular first team football," said Smith..

"He went out on loan for a couple of months last season to Chester and I'm grateful to Liverpool for their help. Robbie has trained with us for a few days and he's ready to play.

"He's small, he's sharp and he's got good feet so that gives us a different option up front and he's a welcome addition to the squad. Having said that, the situation has been forced upon us because we've got problems I hadn't anticipated so early in the season and Spender's suspension hasn't helped.

"I've been monitoring a few players in recent weeks and was hoping not to have to make a decision on the final place in my squad until later in the week."

With both Roche and Spender unavailable, Dean Bennett is the obvious wingback replacement, even though he has figured prominently as a striker in Wrexham's games so far.

That option would pave the way for Foy to start alongside Jon Walters, but the Racecourse boss has not ruled out Warhurst, despite his lack of match practice.

"Paul has been brought in because of his versatility and, like Dean, can play either at the back or up front," he added. "I had been hoping to give him more time to build up his fitness, but needs must and I'm confident he will do a job for me if necessary."

Edinburgh-born Foy, who has won 11 under-21 caps for his country, joined Liverpool's Academy at the age of 14 and made his only first team appearance to date against Wrexham last summer in what was Rafael Benitez's first game in charge.

He said: "I've been a regular in the reserves but, like with all big clubs that have money, it's been difficult to break through at Anfield. Now I hope to play regular first team football at Wrexham and put myself in the shop window.

"Denis Smith has warned me I'll have to fight for my place and that's something I'm prepared to do. I had about 15 games at Chester last season and, although I did everything but put the ball into the net, I couldn't register a goal.

"I'm aiming to put that right with Wrexham, who are giving me a chance to show what I can do, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Former Wrexham favourite Steve Roberts, who joined Doncaster during the close-season, won't be facing his former team-mates this evening because of what is thought to be a hernia problem.

His older brother Neil is likely to figure, having played in Saturday's 2-1 win at Swan-sea City.

Smith said: "If we are realistic we are not going to win this competition but if we can get through a couple of rounds, we'll be in with the big boys.

"We had a couple of tight games against Doncaster last season, but there have been a few changes at both clubs since then.

"Nevertheless, if we create as many chances as we did against Carlisle on Saturday, hopefully we'll be able to take one or two of them."

WREXHAM (probable ): Ingham; Pejic, Bayliss, Lawrence; Bennett, Mark Jones, Ferguson, Williams, Holt; Foy, Walters. Subs: Michael Jones, Mackin, Smith, Warhurst.

DONCASTER: Doncaster Rovers (from): Warrington; Ryan, Mulligan, Foster, McGuire, Fenton, Thornton, Ravenhill, McIndoe, Heffernan, Roberts, Richardson, Hughes, Fortune-West, Guy, Coppinger.

REFEREE: To be confirmed.

BETTING: Wrexham 6/4, Doncaster 6/4, Draw 11/5. First goalscorer: Jonathan Walters 6/1, James Coppinger 6/1, Michael Jones 10/1.