WREXHAM manager Dean Saunders last night expressed his delight for Silvio Spann, who made a winning return to international duty with Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday evening.
Saunders, who was himself away with Wales during the week, said: "I’m so pleased for Silvio because playing for your country is always a huge honour and it proves just how quickly things can change in football.
"He had found himself outside in the cold here at Wrexham but he got into the team and was then rewarded immediately with his call-up.
"And he’s played his part in a great win that gives Trinidad a great chance of qualifying.
"When I came into Wrexham I told Silvio that if he was prepared to work hard, tried to do his best and look to go that further yard he would reap the benefits, and that’s exactly what has happened.
"It will be a huge boost to his confidence and hopefully we’ll also see the benefit of that."
Spann, one member of a sizeable contingent of UK-based Trinidad stars, is expected back at around lunchtime today.
However, the Racecourse boss said it was too early to decide whether he will figure in tomorrow’s Blue Square Premier match at Mansfield Town.
Wrexham will definitely be without youngster Andy Fleming, who has to see a specialist after damaging his knee ligaments in a midweek friendly against Accrington Stanley, and Saunders described the injury as a major blow for the player.
"The boy has done really well since breaking into the team," he added.
"He has still got a lot to learn, but he has done well for me so far and it’s a great shame that he will be missing for a while.
"We’ll have a look at Silvio when he comes back in, because I know from experience that being away on international duty can take its toll, but I’m sure he will be keen to carry on.
"In any event we have a fair number of options in midfield with Joe Allen coming on loan from Swansea, and there are others who will now have a chance to show what they can do.
"Hopefully they will send out the message that my players get injured at their own peril because they might then find it difficult to get back into the team."
One new face set for his Dragons debut at Field Mill tomorrow is defender Ashley Westwood, who has signed a short-term contract until the turn of the year.
The veteran centre-back, who played in the same Bradford City team as Saunders, put pen to paper yesterday.