Huge boost for Wrexham! Steven Fletcher back in contention to partner Paul Mullin after injury layoff as Phil Parkinson also delivers positive update on Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo

Ahead of Saturday's Welsh derby against Newport at the Racecourse Ground, manager Phil Parkinson has given encouraging updates about two key players who are close to a return to full fitness. Fletcher has been absent since picking up a knee injury that required surgery in late October. Meanwhile, Arsenal loanee Okonkwo suffered a facial injury last month which also required an operation.

Speaking to the press ahead of a busy festive period, Parkinson announced that Fletcher had returned to training alongside full-back Ryan Barnett, although he could not put an exact date on his first-team comeback. "Fletch and Barney have been back involved this week," said the Wrexham boss. "We are just assessing them to see how the week progresses but it is good to get them back on the training ground. The good thing for Fletch is that when he joined us, he came in without a pre-season and this injury has allowed us an opportunity for the medical team to do a lot of fitness work with him."

On Okonkwo, Parkinson added: "Arthur's been back with us a couple of days now so we are pleased with that. We will just keep monitoring him on a day-to-day basis. He has a protective guard and has looked fine so far. He hasn't trained fully yet, just non-contact, but he is getting his handling back going and his kicking. We are gradually easing him back in but it's good to get him back up here and it's good to get him back involved with the lads again."

Wrexham fans will be cheered by the news of players returning ahead of a busy period that may well shape the rest of their promotion push, and will hope to see Fletcher back partnering star striker Paul Mullin in the final third as soon as possible. Wrexham's injuries had been mounting ahead of their postponed trip to Forest Green a fortnight ago but appear to be easing ahead of a run of four games in nine days.

The festive fun begins on Saturday with a tasty-looking Welsh derby against Newport County. Trips to Swindon and Walsall follow before a mouthwatering clash against fellow promotion hopefuls Barrow on New Year's Day.