MALCOLM Crosby is optimistic that Town's striking duo can outgun their Wrexham counterparts today but admits his old pal Denis Smith has done a great job in rebuilding a Red Dragons frontline decimated during the summer.

Town's assistant boss and Smith go back a long way, having enjoyed managerial partnerships at Sunderland, Oxford United and West Brom.

Crosby hopes he will be buying Smith a consolation pint this evening but knows the Wrexham manager will be demanding a passionate display from his team today.

The Welsh side's last two matches have ended in defeat, leaving them five points adrift of the play-offs.

Crosby said: "Den will have them up for this one, that's for sure.

"They're a well organised side and if he has his first choice side available, they can cause anyone problems.

"Paul Edwards and Carlos Edwards get up and down the flanks and they've scored a few goals.

"I think Wrexham's run is all the more impressive when you think that Den lost his two top strikers in the summer, Lee Trundle to Swansea and Andy Morrell to Coventry.

"I'm not making comparisons at all but I don't imagine we'd be too happy if we lost Tommy and Sam and had to find replacements.''

Meanwhile, manager Andy King is also anticipating a testing afternoon.

The County Ground boss watched today's opponents crash 2-0 at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night.

Despite the Welsh side having suffered a couple of recent well documented thrashings (6-0 at Bournemouth and 6-1 at Peterborough respectively) King will be taking nothing for granted.

He said: "Wrexham have done extremely well this season and are a difficult side to beat at home.

"I will be making it clear to my players, as I do before any match, than any side in this league is capable of beating anyone else.

"The league is still very tight with everyone as far down as Sheffield Wednesday still believing they can make the play-offs."

King will try and lead his team to a seventh away-day success of the season before turning his attention to the business of squad strengthening.

He said: "As I said in the week, I want to bring one body in, two if possible.

"I'll sit down at my desk on Monday morning and start making calls.

"But it isn't a case at this moment that I've two names on a list and am waiting for answers.

"People think getting loan deals sorted is easy. I can assure you it isn't."