Wrexham AFC: George Evans news could be key to seeing off MK Dons - View | OneFootball

Wrexham AFC head into the final run-in of their League Two campaign uncertain of whether they will achieve automatic promotion or face the lottery of the play-offs.

It's a scenario that echoes the end of their National League title-winning season last term, as the Red Dragons had to wait until their penultimate game against Boreham Wood to secure top spot following a close race with Notts County.

Unlike the top tier of non-league football, there are three automatic promotion spots on offer in League Two as opposed to just one.

However, the battle for those spaces is tight with five teams still competing, including Stockport County, Mansfield Town and Wrexham, who currently occupy the top three in that order.

MK Dons are hot on their tails, sitting two points behind Phil Parkinson's side having played one game more. Meanwhile, Barrow are six points behind, but with a game in hand.

If Wrexham are to achieve their ambitions of achieving back-to-back promotions, then they will need all their best players at their disposal to shore up an automatic place.

Parkinson was handed a timely boost by the recent return of midfielder George Evans from injury, and it's a development which could be crucial in the fight for the top three.

Former Milwall man set for pivotal role in run-in

Parkinson was willing to bide his time to secure one of his key summer signings ahead of Wrexham's EFL return.

According to The Athletic, the signing of Evans from Milwall was a drawn-out process, with the 29-year-old having been on the manager's shopping list for a couple of years.

Parkinson ultimately waited until the final day of the transfer window to get his man, but felt it was worth it to get the quality needed to ready his squad for another promotion push.

Evans made an instant impact at the Racecourse with a series of cultured performances in a holding midfield role.

The former Manchester City youngster has made a total of 18 starts and six substitute appearances in the league (as per Transfermarkt), playing an important part in the club's success.

That's why it came as a huge blow when he suffered a glute injury during Wrexham's 2-1 win at Sutton United in mid-February.

Evans was missing for a total of nine games before returning for a late cameo in his side's 2-0 home win against Mansfield on Good Friday.

He also played the final half hour of Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat at in-form Doncaster Rovers.

With more minutes in the bag, it would appear the midfielder is edging ever closer to being part of the starting XI.

For many supporters, his return couldn't have come at a better time as some of Wrexham's star players looked tired against Doncaster.

Not so long ago, Elliot Lee looked to be a shoo-in for Wrexham's player of the season award.

The attacking midfielder made a fast start to the campaign, scoring plenty in the absence of star striker Paul Mullin.

The former Luton man's 13 league goals early this term saw him rewarded with a new contract at the start of January, keeping him at the Racecourse until June 2027.

However, Lee's form has faltered in the second half of the season, despite being an ever-present figure in the starting line-up.

This is reflected by the fact he has only scored two league goals since the turn of the year, with his last coming in a 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley at the beginning of March.

Lee ran himself ragged against Doncaster on Tuesday, with his effort levels never in question, but struggled to make the ball stick in midfield.

Parkinson has tried a number of different combinations as part of his midfield three in the absence of Evans, achieving mixed results.

But it's hard to escape the fact that most of Wrexham's best performances this season have come with Evans in that anchor role.

His return could be just what is needed to help arrest Lee's slump in form and give him more freedom higher up the pitch.

It could also make all the difference in the battle for the top three and give Wrexham the edge over rivals MK Dons.

If everything works out, it could see a repeat of the memorable scenes after the Boreham Wood game last season as large numbers of fans ran on to the Racecourse pitch to celebrate the club's promotion from the National League.