Wrexham need 'A-game' for 'mouth-watering' week

Wrexham have claimed 13 points from their opening 11 Championship matches this season

Phil Parkinson admits Wrexham will need to bring their "A-game" against promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough as his side prepare for a "mouth-watering" week.

The Red Dragons head to the Riverside Stadium having secured their first home Championship win of the season by beating Oxford United 1-0 at the Stok Cae Ras on Wednesday night.

And Parkinson says his players must not fear Rob Edwards' outfit when the sides meet on Saturday, as Wrexham go in search of a third away league win of the season.

"It's very tight, there's so much to play for. It was important we got that win and what a week we've got ahead of us. Middlesbrough, Cardiff on Tuesday and then Coventry," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"These are the mouth-watering weeks you look forward to as manager, a player and as a supporter.

"To be involved in these games is brilliant and I really want us to go to the Riverside and respect them but certainly not fear them.

"We've got to be ready to play at our best, bring our A-game to the table and I'm looking forward to seeing us do that."

Victory against Oxford lifted Wrexham up to 15th in the Championship table, above Welsh rivals Swansea City on goals scored.

It means Wrexham are now the highest ranked Welsh side in the English Football League, something Parkinson believes serves as another marker of the club's progress.

"It doesn't mean a great deal at this stage, but little markers like that along the way are important for Wrexham Football Club. We know that and our aim is to maintain that," he said.

Wrexham will be without midfielder Elliot Lee for the contest against Boro due to a knee problem.

Lee's midfield team-mates Ollie Rathbone and Ben Sheaf will be assessed after picking up thigh and groin issues respectively.

Long-term absentees Jay Rodriguez, Danny Ward, Andy Cannon, Harry Ashfield and Aaron James all remain sidelined.

On the meeting with Middlesbrough, Parkinson added: "Obviously a good manager, Rob [Edwards], and a great assistant in Adi Viveash, someone I used to play with. They're really good football people.

"They've had a good start. We respect that, it's a good club, a team that's been up in the Premier League before and as always there's expectations on them."