Wrexham bounced back from their away daze with back-to-back home wins over Northampton and Wolves U21 to provide a much-needed reality check. However, there can be no ignoring the fact it has been a costly couple of weeks on the injury front.

George Evans suffered ligament damage that Phil Parkinson said will keep him sidelined for a matter of “months”, while Max Cleworth suffered damage to his ankle ligaments in the 0-0 draw with Leyton Orient, and hasn’t been in a matchday squad since.

It leaves Wrexham with two holes in their first-team squad and gives others an opportunity to show just how good they really are.

The impact of Evans’ injury

So far this season, Evans has seen little action domestically, with the defeat to Stevenage last week the first time he had started a League One fixture this season.

Evans has been an asset for Parkinson as a rotation option, as he’s capable of operating as a centre-back or on the right flank, though his best position seems to be as a defensive midfielder. Since arriving from Millwall, he’s been also been as asset off the bench, ensuring regulars like Andy Cannon don’t get too fatigued as the season wears on.

The impact of Cleworth’s injury

Cleworth’s injury will be tougher for this group to handle, as he’s become a mainstay in the team’s backline. At 22, he’s shown maturity well beyond his years, with plenty of defensive agility and poise in one v one situations.

He’s also been strong in his ball recoveries and in the air, while adding some attacking prowess from the back end this season, scoring three goals in League One.

Who needs to step up?

As always, when two players with the versatility of Evans and Cleworth go down, it opens the door for others to show their stuff. In Wrexham’s case, it’s an opportunity for a pair of their summer signings to prove their worth to the club.

Dan Scarr has the experience of helping a side get promoted out of League One, helping Plymouth Argyle move into the Championship last season, and he should see increased minutes in Cleworth’s absence. Scarr is effective at playing out from the back and has strong reaction speed, and he may be the one with more pressure on his shoulders to step up, given Cleworth’s impact.

As for Evans, his injury is the right moment to see how Lewis Brunt can help this group continue

its winning ways. The former Aston Villa academy player, who came from Leicester City, can play multiple positions with a solid work ethic and an ability to win a lot of balls.

His physicality and stamina are needed to give some of Wrexham’s workhorses a break and keep this team successful.

The experience of both players at this level and their versatility is why the club signed them, and now is their chance to prove their worth.