Former Newport County and Merthyr Town player Scott Barrow is gunning for Wrexham in the Vanarama National League this weekend.

The Welshman, aged 29, plays for Gateshead, who entertain promotion-chasing Wrexham at their International Stadium (3pm).

Swansea-Born defender Barrow played for Swansea City youth, Briton Ferry Athletic, Port Talbot Town, Tamworth and Macclesfield before joining Newport.

He moved on to Merthyr last season before joining Gateshead and has been a big hit.

Home fans have made up a song about Barrow, who scored his first goals for Gateshead in a 2-2 draw against Hartlepool United.

“We played well against Hartlepool, scored two goals from set pieces and looked comfortable,” said Barrow. “But we let our lead slip.

“Now we have a big game against Wrexham on Saturday and another big attendance would help us so much.”

Wrexham are fed up with their fixture list which sent them to Barrow on Boxing Day and Gateshead on Saturday – a total of almost 700 miles travelling.

“I said in the changing room that whoever has done the fixtures needs shooting!” says Wrexham player Mark Carrington.

“But as a footballer you go where you are told and we have got to make sure that we go to Gateshead fully prepared and beat them.”

Manager Dean Keates says: “Everybody else seems to have a local derby to anything up to an hour and a half travelling. We have two and a half hours, nearly three hours, away in Barrow and then the Gateshead trip.”

Wrexham are fourth in the Conference table, four points behind leaders Macclesfield Town, and Carrington said: “It was just a lack of quality from us on the ball in the final third that dropped us three points.

“We showed great character. We will go again at Gateshead.

“It is probably two points dropped in both of the games (0-0 v Dover, 1-1 v Barrow).

“But if you are not going to win them then it is important that you don’t lose and we keep the unbeaten run going.

“Hopefully we earn the win on Saturday.”

Keates is furious over an alleged eye-gouging incident that saw Wrexham captain Shaun Pearson forced off late on against Barrow at Holker Street.

“He’s (Pearson) gone off at the end and things have happened that should never happen on a football pitch,” said Keates.

“I’ve had a word with the referee and asked him to look back at it.

“I think it’s an absolute disgrace what they’ve done for Shaun.”