Exeter City will hope to take the confidence they gleamed and the momentum they created in their second half stirring comeback against Crawley Town into the tough trip to Wycombe Wanderers on New Year’s Day. The Grecians were 4-1 down at home on Sunday to the struggling Red Devils before a stunning second 45 minutes full of attacking intent forced a 4-4 draw.

With wins over Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers, that made it a seven point Christmas period for the Grecians who have pulled away from the bottom half of the table and sit firmly in mid-table in 13th spot where they finished last season. The trip to Wycombe is the first of seven league games in January, plus an FA Cup tie with Oxford, as the busy schedule continues.

Only a month ago, the Grecians drew 2-2 with the Chairboys in an encounter where City went 2-0 up against the league's in-form side. Wycombe have since dropped down to third in the table and suffered their first loss since August on Sunday as they were beaten by Charlton Athletic.

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“I like that we have seven points from nine,” First Team Individual Player Development Coach Dan Green said of the Christmas period. “Performances on the whole have been positive and we have been scoring goals which is a positive sign.

"The biggest thing we can do now is recovering physically, emotionally, ready to ensure that we're at our very best when we go into that game.

"You can watch an opposition, but once you're in the game you get a feel for their individuals, the way that they want to play. We have to review and reflect on the game and so when we go to Wycombe, we have learned as much as we can and prepared as possible to go and get maximum points from it.

“We have to play with energy. We are better when on the front foot out of possession. With Wycombe, they've been an incredibly consistent outfit. They've got a strong squad, they're able to rotate and put different players in.

"I think it'll be another tough test but the game, when we played them here, also showed when we're at our very best, that there's nothing for us to be afraid of."

City will once again be without Pierce Sweeney is out set to miss a couple of months of action with a calf injury, while Reece Cole is also out for similar length of time as his injury-hit season continues. But Johnly Yfeko is getting closer to returning, although Wycombe will probably come too soon for him.

Jack Aitchison after a minor calf problem could though return – if not at Wycombe then he will be back in time for Bolton on Saturday – while Pat Jones in his first action after a hamstring injury showed why the Grecians brought him to the club in his 20 minute cameo off the bench.

“Pat Jones was outstanding and showed a glimpse of what he can be,” manager Gary Caldwell said. “He came into the club and picked up an injury which is never easy, but the players love him, he is a brilliant character, and you can see the quality and the 1v1 ability and speed he has. To be out that length of time and show that quality and desire to get at full back, he will be a player which really excites the fans.”

It will probably be too soon for the Welshman to start, but with the Wycombe trip being a second of three games in six days, changes are likely. Josh Magennis will almost certainly come back into the side in place of Jay Bird who limped off injured upfront, while Vincent Harper and Demi Mitchell pressed their cases for involvement with impressive performances and goals off the bench.