The Bluebirds of Barrow pose a threat to Wrexham between now and New Year’s Day. They clash twice in six days.

Manager Dean Keates and his Dragons travel to play Barrow this afternoon, while the teams clash again at the Racecourse in North Wales on New Year’s Day.

Between those Vanarama National League fixtures Wrexham go to Gateshead on Saturday, December 30 (all games 3pm).

Barrow are 17 places behind second-placed Wrexham, but they are running into form, stand seven points clear of the bottom four and have won three of their last five fixtures.

Their 2-1 win at Woking was a well come boost, while Wrexham fought out a goalless draw against Dover Athletic at home.

Any damage from the loss of two points was limited by the fact that none of the top eight National League teams won.

They lost against leaders Macclesfield Town in the previous fixture and that makes the two clashes with Barrow vital in the chase for promotion to the Football League.

Barrow player-coach Grant Holt, who has played Premier League football with Norwich City and Aston Villa, has promised: “We’ll have a right go at Wrexham.

“They come to us in fine form but we are a side now who work hard and only worry about what we do.

“If we work as hard as we did against Woking and keep our shape we’ll be okay.”

Wrexham manager Dean Keates is keen to strengthen his squad in January with a striker high on his list.

George Miller is due to return to Middlesbrough in January after his loan spell, while Ntumba Massanka’s loan spell from Burnley also ends next month.

“We lose George so then there will be another spot available,” said Keates. “Ntumba’s loan is up and that is up for negotiation so there are things that we need to look at.

“We’ve had Ntumba for a full year so it is a conversation that we need to have between the lad, the two football clubs and I.

“Burnley might want him back, he has been out for a year and they might want to have a look and see how he has developed.”

Wrexham are keen to extend midfield player Akil Wright’s loan deal from Fleetwood Town.

His current loan ended in January and Keates says: “Akil knows how I feel regarding him and I know where Akil would like to be.

“He has done a fantastic job and cemented his place in the team.”

Wright missed the goalless draw against Dover and is rated doubtful for the match at Barrow.

Wrexham AFC (v Barrow away), squad: Dunn, Jennings, Roberts, Rutherford, Wright, Pearson, Smith, Wedgbury, Kelly, Miller, Holroyd, Boden, Hurst, Mackreth, Massanka, Carrington, Dibble, Takyi.