Wrexham's James faces 'significant time out' after knee surgery
Defender Aaron James spent the second half of last season at Warrington Town
- Published
Wrexham defender Aaron James will have knee surgery on Tuesday and faces a "significant time out", manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed.
James, 20, suffered the injury during training last week and is expected to be out of action for five months.
Fellow academy graduate, midfielder Harry Ashfield, 19, sustained ankle ligament damage in training and will miss the next five weeks.
"They're two great lads and we rate both very highly," Parkinson said.
"Aaron was stretchered off on Monday and then Harry Ash the same on Friday.
"Aaron sadly got injured in training last Monday and faces an operation tomorrow (Tuesday) and he's going to face a significant time out, four to five months.
"We'd like to wish Aaron all the best for that.
"Harry Ash also unfortunately got injured on Friday - a nothing incident really - he's damaged his ankle ligaments and faces a few weeks out as well.
"That's part of the education, unfortunately you get injured as a professional footballer and those two players will get the best possible treatment, and they'll be coming back ready to contribute again hopefully this season."
Midfielder Harry Ashfield has played in two EFL Cup games this season
James' only appearance this season came in August's EFL Cup tie against Hull City while Ashfield played in two EFL Cup games this season, scoring against Preston North End.
Wrexham host Reading in the competition's third round on Tuesday and are bidding to reach the fourth round for the first time since the 1977-78 season.
"I think our journey to this stage has been an interesting one," Parkinson added.
"The Hull City game was full of excitement, 3-1 down, came back to 3-3 and great to win on pens.
"And the Preston game was another really good game of football between two good sides.
"So we've had to work hard to get here, two real tests and the two draws were both real challenges for us.
"Now we find ourselves in round three for the first time in a lot of years and I spoke to the lads about it.
"What an opportunity for us tomorrow to try and create a bit of history."
Parkinson confirmed he will make changes to the team that won 3-2 at Norwich City in the Championship last Saturday.