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Special feel to Wrexham v Southampton - Parkinson

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Special feel to Wrexham v Southampton - Parkinson
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson (left) looks on from the touchline and (seperate picture) Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert claps his hands (right)Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Wrexham have only failed to score in one of their past 25 home league games, while Southampton are second only to Coventry for away goals scored in the Championship this season.

ByIan MitchelmoreBBC Sport Wales

Phil Parkinson says Wrexham's Championship contest with play-off rivals Southampton on Tuesday (20:00 BST) has a "special" feel given Saints' recent resurgence.

The Red Dragons go into the contest at Stok Cae Ras one place and one point above Southampton, who have a game in hand.

But having stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, Tonda Eckert's men head to north Wales unbeaten in 15 matches across all competitions.

"It's a massive game for us but I think at this stage of the season it's hard to say one game is harder than the next because everybody's fighting for something," said Parkinson, who started his professional career with the Saints.

"With Southampton's resurgence, it's got a special feel to it and we'll be ready for it come Tuesday night."

Wrexham rose back above Southampton in the table courtesy of their 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Friday.

It means, with just six regular season games left to play, the Welsh club's destiny remains firmly in their own hands.

"Football is about making the most of every season. I always feel every season is special and we've got an opportunity to finish it well and we're going to do everything we can," added Parkinson.

"When you get into this position it's important, like we've done in previous years, that we produce good performances.

"That's obviously the intention but we've got 11 players against us that are trying to stop us. We've got to enjoy it and we will.

"The aim is to to go into these last six games and give it absolutely everything to try and finish the season off strongly."

Wrexham came agonisingly close to earning a shock win over the Saints on the opening day of the campaign.

Josh Windass opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the visitors at St Mary's Stadium but last-gasp goals from Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens earned the hosts victory.

Despite that triumph, the Saints struggled under Will Still and parted company with the head coach in early November.

They have drastically improved under German boss Eckert, winning nine of their past 12 league fixtures.

But Lewis O'Brien, who netted his side's second goal at West Brom last time out, feels Wrexham's improvement since the first fixture between the sides is evident.

"We were a pretty new team. There were a lot of signings and we were trying to understand how everyone played," the midfielder said of the August contest.

"We've now got three games at home and three away and hopefully we can pick up as many points as we can."

On the Saints, O'Brien said: "They're a fantastic squad. They're Premier League quality. You can see that when they play.

"We could feel that when we went there for the first game of the season but sometimes it doesn't matter the quality on the pitch, it's how much you want it.

"Recently they've turned that around. They've shown that they've got both sides of the gam, but it'll be a great clash and hopefully we can come out better."

Striker Kieffer Moore is available for the Red Dragons having returned to action against West Brom after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Parkinson has also said that midfield duo Matty James and Ben Sheaf are making "really good progress" in recoveries from injury.

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Originally reported by BBC Sport