Charlton boss Jones defuses Wrexham 'circus' row

Nathan Jones has also managed Luton, Stoke and Southampton

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones says his "circus" comment about League One promotion rivals Wrexham has been "misunderstood".

Fourth-placed Charlton visit second-placed Wrexham on Saturday, and looking forward to the fixture Jones told Sky Sports: "It's a bumper game, we have to go to the circus and see what we can get."

However, the 51-year-old Welshman has since moved to defuse any potential ill-feeling between himself and the north Wales club owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"I was a bit misquoted or misunderstood mentioning the word 'circus'," explained Jones speaking to BBC Radio London.

"I didn't mean the club or players or anything there because they are a very well run, excellent club."

Charlton, who are looking to return to the Championship after five seasons in League One, put automatic promotion back in Wrexham's hands with a 4-0 win at now third-placed Wycombe Wanderers on Monday.

Wrexham are seeking an historic third successive promotion having risen from the National League since Reynolds and McElhenney's 2021 takeover. They have also picked up a global following via a Disney documentary series.

"The owners there have done a fantastic job, not only galvanising a club and taking the club forward, they've actually taken a community which needed it as well," added Jones as he clarified his earlier comments.

"It's a Welsh community, so one that has heart and they've done a magnificent job.

"What I meant was what follows Wrexham around is a lot of pomp, a lot of ceremony, a lot of cameras, a lot of coverage, a lot of scrutiny.

"They've handled that very well. At times that can be a distraction, and I don't want it to be for our thing, so that's what I meant - hopefully that clears that."

Wrexham will clinch promotion this weekend if they beat Charlton and Wycombe fail to win at Leyton Orient.