O'Hare has been a regular since joining from Sheffield United in the summer and looked set for an emotional return to Bramall Lane on Friday night.

However, the 28-year-old was forced to miss the clash, which ended in a 1-0 loss, after failing to recover from an injury picked up in the 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers the previous weekend.

Parkinson believes O'Hare has made a strong impact despite still waiting to open his Wrexham account and has not definitely ruled him out of the Boro showdown.

"Callum was in the team shape in the team on Thursday and had to pull out which was a blow for us because he's a spark and he's been good," said Parkinson.

"He hasn't had that real moment yet but he's been very close to it and I think his general play has been good.

"It is difficult to put a time scale on it and we've just got to keep assessing him.

"He is feeling a lot better and we'll assess him again today, but he's a very determined character.

"He wants to play every minute of every game but unfortunately things happen and nature has a period where injuries need to recover."

Max Cleworth and George Thomason made their comebacks from lengthy lay-offs as second half substitutes against the Blades, and Ben Sheaf got another game under his belt following a run of injuries.

Parkinson refused to disclose whether Cleworth and Thomason could start tonight, and if Sheaf would keep his place in the team.

"They (Cleworth and Thomason) had a good week and both got some game-time on Friday, which was important for those two," he added.

"Obviously, Sheafy as well, we're kind of building him up.

"But those three lads, to get their personality back in the group is brilliant.

"They've been missed, they've trained hard and they've needed to, but I feel they're in a good place."