Parkinson had to 'protect' squad in EFL Cup loss to Cardiff

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson says a gruelling playing schedule meant he was forced into making a raft of changes to his starting side as they tumbled out of the Carabao Cup.

This Friday's home game against Championship leaders Coventry City (20:00 GMT) will be Wrexham's fifth game in 14 days.

For Tuesday night's last-16 tie with Cardiff City, Parkinson made seven changes from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough in the Championship.

He was without defender Lewis Brunt with injury and Callum Doyle through suspension, although Ben Sheaf and Ollie Rathbone passed late fitness calls.

That saw Nathan Broadhead start up front alongside Sam Smith in a mostly untested strike partnership, with key forward Kieffer Moore named on the bench.

"We made a lot of changes and we did that in a big game, but I've got to protect the squad as well," Parkinson said.

"I had to utilise the squad [against Cardiff]; Brunty picked up an injury at the weekend, we had Callum suspended... but we still should have done better."

With League One side Cardiff leading at half-time through Yousef Salech's opener, Parkinson was forced into a triple substitution at the break - with Moore, Josh Windass and Matty James replacing Smith, Broadhead and Ollie Rathbone.

The changes worked as Moore grabbed a swift equaliser, only for Cardiff to respond through Will Fish to seal a 2-1 victory.

"We're very frustrated in the manner of the defeat," Parkinson added.

"We spoke to the lads prior to the game about what to expect, but we just weren't at the levels we needed to be.

"Their pressing forced us into hurried passes which gave the ball away cheaply, and the other side we were five yards off them which made it too easy for them to play.

"It's something we've done better in recent weeks, I think everyone who has seen us play will have seen that.

"But [against Cardiff] the structure and the press and the work and the intensity of winning the ball back wasn't where it needed to be."