IT says much about the recent meanness of Wrexham’s rearguard that Ryan Valentine has been restricted to just seven minutes of action since returning from injury.

The 24-year-old defender had been among the Dragons’ outstanding performers of the season before a groin strain forced him out of action against Bury in early November.

However, Valentine, a free transfer from Darlington in the summer, has found his way back into Denis Smith’s starting XI blocked by the impressive showings of Mike Williams and Lee Roche, with the former Everton trainee left to warm the bench.

The full-backs have contributed to a run of results which has seen Wrexham relaunch their promotion campaign and secure an FA Cup date with Championship side Derby.

This sequence has been achieved while shipping just four goals in five games.

But Valentine, who made his comeback as an 83rd-minute substitute in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Torquay, is confident he can reclaim his first-team place.

"We were doing well just before I got injured and the last two or three results have been good," he said. "But at any club it is good to have competition for places, and it helps. It can only be good for the club.

"Both (Lee) Roachy and Mike (Williams) have done really well and I’ve no complaints about being on the bench. I’ve just got to put my head down now and work hard and hopefully my time will come again.

"Any player has got be confident he can force himself back in the side and I just have to be patient and work hard, because if the team is doing well, I have to bide my time. But I just want to do well and I’m confident I can force myself way back into the manager’s thoughts."

The former Wales under-21 international made an instant impression from the onset of his Wrexham career, demonstrating his versatility by switching from flank to flank in the opening four fixtures this term.

With the emergence of Williams, however, Valentine settled on the right of defence before joining a once-cramped Racecourse sick list, allowing ex-Manchester United trainee Roche to stake a claim there.

Unsurprisingly, the player has no positional preference, insisting he will just be glad to help out the side when the chance arises.

"If I do get back in the side, I’m not really bothered if it is at left-back or right-back."

"Obviously with being out injured, even though it was only for a few weeks, it has been frustrating but it is better to be involved on the bench than being in the treatment room injured, so I am just glad to be back playing.

"Even two weeks stuck inside watching the lads going out to train was enough for me, so to get seven minutes the other night, hopefully that can help me push on and get more time on the field."

Boss Smith is equally confident Valentine can reclaim his shirt, saying: "It is always good to have good players back," said Smith." It is good to have the options there, it is very much a squad game these days, so it is good to have as many options as possible."He’s a good player and he will be disappointed if he can’t (force his way back into the team).

"The odds are that one of them will get injured sooner or later, and when that happens he will get his chance."

Lee McEvilly’s absence through illness this weekend could see Neil Roberts feature against Boston tomorrow. The striker has been pencilled in for the squad that will travel to the York Street Stadium. Wrexham, meanwhile, have re-arranged their reserve clash with Manchester City for December 19.