Wrexham are hitting the road in their quest for promotion to the Football League.
The Reds will move to within a point of Vanarama National League leaders Macclesfield Town with a win at Gateshead this evening (Tuesday), while they make the trip to Guiseley in West Yorkshire on Saturday.
Manager Dean Keates and his players will travel more than 600 miles in total for the two fixtures, while their next home game is against Halifax on Saturday, February 10.
Wrexham are unbeaten in six matches, have scored 11 goals in their last four and the match at Gateshead is their game in hand.
“Gateshead is always a tough place to go, I’ve played there a couple of times,” said Wrexham captain Shaun Pearson.
“They were struggling for a while, but they are on a good little run. If we can take the three points it will be massive for us setting up the weekend when not many other teams are playing.
“We’ll get Gateshead out of the way and then concentrate on Guiseley on Saturday. They are a team fighting for their lives and have not picked up a lot of points lately.
“Every game seems to be the odd goal or a draw for them, so they are obviously giving teams good games and it will be tough. We must there and do a job, and hopefully get three points.
“By the end of the week we will go from a game behind most teams to a game ahead. This week is a massive opportunity for us.
“We have the chance to put pressure on the teams around us and maybe even get ourselves top of the pile.
“If we have a great week and pick up six points, it will make the point against Tranmere even better.”
Wrexham drew 2-2 against Rovers at the Racecourse and now face a Gateshead team which includes former Newport County and Merthyr Town player Scott Barrow.
The Welshman, aged 29, plays for Gateshead at the International Stadium.
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 heading north to sign for Gateshead and has been a big hit.
“Gateshead away is a difficult test for us,” says manager Dean Keates. “It’s a game in hand and we need to pick some points up.
“We’re going to go from a home game with a sell-out crowd of eight and a half thousand, it’s going to be a completely different environment up there – the pitch is on the other side of a running track and it’s all open.
“We’ll be ready for it.”
Olly Marx is still ruled out of the Wrexham team because of injury, while Mark Harrington has damaged a hamstring. James Jennings is doubtful after suffering a minor strain against Tranmere.
Gateshead have Dan Hanford suspended, Richard Peniket has a facial injury and Rees Greenwood is awaiting his international clearance to play.
