SILVIO SPANN is hoping to impress manager Dean Saunders this week and regain his place in the Wrexham team.
Converted right-back Spann returned from a three-match suspension when he appeared as a substitute in Saturday’s FA Cup win against Halifax Town which earned Wrexham a home tie in the first round proper.
It was Spann’s first competitive outing since he was shown a straight red card for a late challenge after just 15 minutes of the defeat at Kidderminster Harriers on September 29.
Spann is in line for a return to the side against Ebbsfleet United at Stonebridge Road on Saturday in place of Curtis Obeng who picked up a fifth yellow card of the season against Halifax and will serve a one-match ban.
And the Trinidad & Tobago international hopes to get the nod to face struggling Ebbsfleet.
“All I can do is put the work in during training,” said Spann today. “Then it depends on what the gaffer is thinking about.
“The gaffer has said you could be needed at any moment, we can only prepare ourselves for the task and see what happens.
“Most definitely I hope I play on Saturday. I am looking forward to trying to put myself in contention for a starting place.
“I am just happy to be back where I can be in contention for a place in the team.
“Before Saturday, I was training but not even able to play reserve team games.
What made it worse is there was an international weekend but I did not go away to play, so I felt a bit rusty.”
During almost one month on the sidelines while suspended, Spann was a frustrated figure and could not wait to return to action.
Named as one of the substitutes at Halifax, Spann was pleased to be introduced in the second half by Saunders and the 28-year-old made the final pass to fellow replacement Wes Baynes who secured victory for Wrexham with a stunning 30-yard strike.
“You can have seven substitutes in the FA Cup which helped and I tried to repay the faith shown in me by the gaffer for putting me straight back on the bench,” said Spann.
“Other players have been in good form and I was delighted that I got on. I was not 100 per cent when I went on but I am always looking for ways to improve myself.
“It was a shame I did not have my kicking boots on, but I added a bit of a spark. I passed to Wes so I have told him I am taking an assist for his goal!”
Victory extended Wrexham’s unbeaten run to three-games and Spann is looking to extend that record further at Ebbsfleet who have only won once in 17 league games this season and find themselves second from bottom in the table.
“It was good to be part of a winning team,” said Spann. “I am a team player and as I have said before, there is no ‘I’ in team.”
“I have been loyal to the club and if I had to play in goal for the team I would. The team is the most important thing.
“I wanted to do a job for the team and did it to an extent. It was great to be back playing.
“Fortunately we came out on top, it could have been a draw or maybe gone the other way.
“Hopefully we can keep the winning streak going at Ebbsfleet, and we don’t concede anything.”
Although he still features as a midfielder, Spann was converted into a right-back by Saunders in pre-season.
Spann and Obeng – also used as a winger – have shared the right-back duties this term and the Trinidadian said both players have qualities that benefit the team.
“It is good competition,” added Spann. “Having different people competing for the same position is what propels the club’s future, it can only help Wrexham.
“Curtis has strengths and weaknesses, and so do I. Whoever comes in for Curtis it should only strengthen the team – and I don’t see myself as a weak link.
“Everyone knows Curtis is like lightening. I am not the same but I add my bit to the game.”
Spann could feature tonight when Wrexham reserves face Tranmere Rovers at Buckley Town’s Globe Way (7pm).