Smith relishing Rodriguez strike partnership

Sam Smith is looking to learn from new strike partner and fellow Wrexham new boy Jay Rodriguez.

Smith and former England international Rodriguez joined the League One promotion chasers during the January transfer window.

“He’s a quality player – he’s a clever player,” Smith said of former Burnley and West Brom forward Rodriguez.

“We’re just trying to build a relationship as quickly as we can.

“It’s difficult coming in halfway through the season and not having much time to train or work on things.

“I ask him questions all the time because he’s obviously a great player with a great career. The quicker I can learn off him and improve my own game, the better for the team.”

Smith scored his first goal for Wrexham in last Saturday’s 2-0 win at Northampton Town, which kept them in the promotion hunt in third.

He latched on to goalkeeper Mark Howard’s long ball to hit Wrexham’s opener in the 19th minute.

“It’s a special moment and probably a moment I will never forget,” Smith said.

“More importantly it was a good performance and three points.

“Hopefully I can keep contributing and help pushing for promotion. Every performance now is important.”

Smith joined Wrexham from League One rivals Reading for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old said he was excited by the Wrexham “project”, though he had mixed feelings on leaving a club where he was in his second spell having originally come through the academy.

“It was difficult leaving Reading with my association there and what the club meant to me,” Smith added.

“But it was a difficult period for the club there and I got told a bid had been accepted and the club needed the money to keep the club going.”