Welshman Tommy O’Sullivan has joined Torquay United’s fight to stay in the Vanarama National League and is set to make his first appearance against Wrexham at The Racecourse (3pm).
Former Cardiff City attacking midfield player O’Sullivan, aged 22, had made the move from Colchester United to Torquay on a one-month loan.
Bluebirds managers Malky Mackay and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both rated O’Sullivan highly.
“Tommy is super-talented and I have no doubt he will become a first team regular Cardiff City,” said Mackay, Solskjaer tipped the Wales under-21 international to play regular first team football.
“Tommy is an attacking midfielder who will add something to the squad and make us stronger,” said United head coach Gary Owers.
Torquay are bottom of the table with only four wins, while Wrexham are fourth and badly need a win to fire up their promotion hopes.
O’Sullivan and Plymouth Argyle striker Alex Fletcher have joined Torquay.
Cardiff and Swansea City were both keen on O’Sullivan when he was a schoolboy and he opted for the Bluebirds from the age of nine.
The creative playmaker is far from the quickest, but he was an excellent touch and an ability to give himself time on the ball.
He made three first team appearances for Cardiff, all off the bench, while he has also played for Port Vale, Newport County and Colchester.
Hosts Wrexham have the second best defensive record in the National League, having only conceded 22 goals so far this season,
and they see the clash with Torquay as a chance to earn their first win in 2018.
The Dragons have drawn their last three matches, including a 3-3 result against Barrow at home.
“Wrexham have been almost water-tight defensively and then all of a sudden you see in their last game they concede three,” said Torquay head coach Gary Owers.
“There will be a big crowd, home fans will have high expectations. Everybody thinks they can beat us because of our position in the league.
“We have to deal with all of that and find a bit of spirit, which I am sure is still in there, and try to come back with something for our efforts.”
Midfield player Akil Wright, who has been on loan at Wrexham from Fleetwood, is joining the North Wales club on a permanent basis, signing a contract through to the end of 2019-20.
The link between Wright, 21, and Sam Wedgbury in central midfield is key to Wrexham promotion hopes.
“It’s brilliant,” said Wright. “I’ve been here since July and I’ve enjoyed myself. It’s been class.
“I have a lot to improve on, but I’m young and learning. The gaffer (Dean Keates) is helping me and he was also a midfield player with Wrexham.
“It’s good the boss has faith in me, playing me week in and week out. I have got to repay him now.”
Striker Ntumba Massanka has returned to Burnley after his loan spell came to an end.
Wrexham are welcoming German visitors to the Racecourse on Saturday when a group 1FC Magdeburg fans are set to throw their support behind the Dragons.
The German club is training in the north-west of England during their winter break. Hundreds of their supporters have made the trip and to watch them in friendly fixtures and have booked tickets for Wrexham v Torquay.
Magdeburg supporters come to a ground where the German club played Wrexham in a European Cup Winners Cup match in 1979.
Almost 10,000 spectators watched Wrexham win 3-2 thanks to goals from Dixie McNeil, Steve Fox and Steve Buxton.
The second leg in East Germany was won 3-2 by Magdeburg, who went on to earn victory in extra time.
The Welsh club have invited three of their players involved in those matches to attend Saturday’s fixture against Torquay.
Wrexham’s League match against Gateshead away has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 30 (7.45pm).
The fixture was postponed because of a frozen pitch at the end of last year
Home tickets are available ONLINE