Wrexham

Image source, Rex Features

Liberato Cacace and George Thomason are nearing returns after sustaining injuries early in their Wrexham careers.

Left wing-back Cacace, an eye-catching summer signing from Empoli in Italy, was injured during his first Wrexham appearance as they lost at Southampton on the opening weekend of the Championship season.

Thomason, another new recruit, has not yet played for the Welsh club since joining from Bolton Wanderers.

Wrexham are also without Josh Windass - who signed from Sheffield Wednesday during the off-season - for around six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained during last Saturday's home defeat by West Bromwich Albion.

"People come in at different stages of their pre-season. I think Josh Winnass is a great example of that, who obviously came to us on the back of a disrupted period at Sheffield Wednesday through no fault of his. Subsequently he's got injured, which was a shame," said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.

"Libby [Cacace] gave so much in that Southampton game. He wasn't training with Empoli, he was on his own so, when he joined us, he missed a chunk and sometimes that kind of catches you up a bit. He's just got a slight hamstring tweak, nothing too serious.

"If the game last week was a cup final, last game of the season, it's one we may have been able to just play him in.

"So we've just got to be cautious at this stage of the season because I feel he's going to be a really good signing for us and he's shown it already.

"And George as well, just came in, moved to a new club, training may be slightly different to what he's used to and just a slight nick in the tendon in the top of his thigh and it's just taken longer than we anticipated to get right.

"But he's shown really good signs as well in that period he's trained with us and it won't be long before he's back."

Midfielders Ollie Rathbone and Andy Cannon and forward Jay Rodriguez remain sidelined with longer-term injuries.

Wrexham are close to completing the signing of Manchester City defender Callum Doyle in a deal worth £8m. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

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We asked for your thoughts on Wrexham's start to the season after the 3-2 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion, leaving Phil Parkinson's side without a point after two games back in the Championship.

Here are some of your comments:

Stuart: "This is exactly the challenging start Wrexham fans were expecting - it's a harsh but stark reality of the step up in division and let's not forget the fixture list could be much easier as a transition! I have faith Parkinson will be able to keep them grounded - and the new signings have the experience to support the dressing room.

Andrew: "While disappointed, it's early days and believe the new players will strengthen the way we need to adapt to a higher level in the Championship. Another strong central defence player is required and a real test will be next weekend as we play Sheffield Wednesday who are without a point in their first two games. Come on the Town."

Andy: "When a manager brings in a lot of new faces, it takes time for them all to settle in. We seem to have got that, but when you add it to the much better league then it's going to be tough. We have shown the fighting spirit we will need this season but just now to demonstrate the quality needed to do well. Both disappointing results but after 43 years still very happy with where we are.

Bob: "It never was going to be a walk in the park. Give the manager three months to show he can operate at this level before making any more changes. The Championship is a whole new ball game and the easy days are gone."

David: "Early days, two top teams played against. I don't think there is any crisis yet, but I do have doubts about the number one spot; I don't think Ward is good enough who was at fault for WBA's second and third goals."

James: "The team is far from the finished Championship article but the players are still sussing each other out and show obvious quality in all areas across the pitch. We may not get that 'Back-to-back-to-back-to-back' fairytale promotion this season but I've seen enough in this team already to feel that we're going upset a fair few teams. In Parky we trust!"

Steve: "Phil Parkinson must try other ways of playing instead of playing the long ball up to Kieffer Moore and hoping for the best. We're far too predictable. The fans can see it, why can't he?"

Walt: "A tough baptism against quality sides. We are not far away from settling down and picking up some points. We have played 180 minutes in probably the most difficult league in football to get out of, so not disheartened with what I have witnessed."

Andy: "We've played two title contenders and not been outclassed in either of the games. The difference at this level is that you need to take your chances or you get punished. We could miss two or three opportunities in the leagues below and still win the game, but not at this level. I think we'll be fine though; I've seen enough to suggest we'll win more than we'll lose and stay up."

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George Dobson is bidding to learn from midfield partner Lewis O'Brien following the summer signing's impressive start to life at Wrexham.

Dobson and O'Brien have started alongside Matty James in a midfield three in both of Wrexham's opening two matches of the Championship season.

O'Brien - who joined on a permanent deal from Nottingham Forest - was among the star performers in the 2-1 defeat by Southampton on the opening day while he netted his first goal for the club in the 3-2 loss to West Bromwich Albion.

And Dobson admits he has been impressed with O'Brien since the 26-year-old made the switch to the Stok Cae Ras.

"He's a top quality player," Dobson said of O'Brien.

"You can tell why he's played at a high level and the way he manoeuvres the ball in tight positions.

"His athleticism of being able to cover such high distances - it's something for me to look at and help improve my game.

"I'm really enjoying playing alongside him and long may it continue."

Phil Parkinson has regularly recruited experienced players from higher levels since becoming Wrexham boss in the summer of 2021.

Internationals Kieffer Moore, Nathan Broadhead, Danny Ward, Liberato Cacace and Conor Coady are among those to make the switch to north Wales during the course of the summer.

And Dobson feels O'Brien typifies the type of qualities Wrexham wish to have in their ranks.

"The dressing room has still got the same real strong core of brilliant characters," added Dobson.

"The gaffer has always recruited not just good players but really good people and that hasn't changed.

"It's like anything, when there's a lot of change, it's always going to take a little bit of time. but we can't make any excuses with that, we've got to deliver now."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham need "a couple more" additions to their squad as the manager seeks to be active in the final stages of the transfer window.

The Dragons have already brought in nine new recruits during the summer, but they are still without a number of players due to injury.

New Zealand international Liberato Cacace missed the 3-2 loss to West Bromwich Albion with a hamstring issue while Josh Windass was forced off in the first half against the Baggies.

Andy Cannon, Ollie Rathbone, George Thomason and Jay Rodriguez are yet to feature this term as they continue to recover from injuries while left-back Jacob Mendy and striker Ollie Palmer are among those who could yet depart prior to the 19:00 BST transfer deadline on 1 September.

"We're looking across the board. We probably do need a couple more players, we're looking at that," said Parkinson.

"It's ongoing, it's obviously busy for all managers and clubs at the moment when you're preparing for games and looking to improve the squad.

"The lads we've brought in at the moment are really good and I'm pleased with the way they've settled in."

Ryan Hardie, Danny Ward, Cacace, Kieffer Moore, Nathan Broadhead, Windass, Conor Coady, Lewis O'Brien and Thomason have all made the switch to the Stok Cae Ras this summer.

Image source, BBC Sport

Wrexham have had a tough welcome to life in the Championship, with one-goal defeats against Southampton and West Bromwich Albion to start the campaign.

Phil Parkinson's side are not alone, they are one of five teams to be without a point after two Championship games.

They have also had to face two sides with promotion aspirations, and were not outclassed in either match.

After a 2-1 defeat at St Mary's Stadium to start the season, Wrexham returned to the Stok Cae Ras for two games this week.

Two injury-time goals from Ollie Palmer helped Wrexham come from 3-1 down against Hull City to force a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, a shootout which the north Wales side would go onto win.

But hosting a second-tier game for the first time since 1981-82, Wrexham were beaten 3-2 by the Baggies on Saturday - and suffered an injury to Josh Windass in the first half.

The step up to Championship life was always set to be the most challenging for Wrexham, so how would you assess their start to the season?

Have your say here!

Image source, FAW

Wrexham have announced the departure of Amber Lightfoot, Rebecca Pritchard and Katie Sharp.

Winger Lightfoot came through the Wrexham academy and made a huge impact on the senior side, scoring 37 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions in her first two seasons.

Pritchard, who featured on the wing and at full-back, scored Wrexham's play-off final winning goal back in 2023 to seal the club's promotion to the Adran Premier.

Centre-back Sharp leaves as the club's longest-serving player, having made her debut back in 2019.

All three were among the first 10 Wrexham players to be given semi-professional contracts for the 2023/24 season.

"We'd like to place on record our appreciation for the trio's contributions whilst at the club," said a Wrexham Women post on social media.

Image source, Rex Features

George Dobson feels Wrexham have been fully exposed to the ruthless nature of the Championship having suffered back-to-back defeats in the division at the start of the 2025-26 season.

Phil Parkinson's side were beaten 3-2 by West Bromwich Albion at the Stok Cae Ras to ensure they remain without a point having fallen to a 2-1 loss to Southampton a week earlier.

And after Parkinson criticised the "soft" goals his side conceded against the Baggies, Dobson admitted Wrexham are being emphatically punished for small mistakes in the second tier.

"It just showed the quality of the level - if you don't take your chances, you do get punished," said the midfielder.

"It's definitely not a panic stations type situation but we know there's a couple of things we need to be a bit better at.

"It's definitely the fine margins of being punished. Any sort of mistake or not doing your job quite right seems to get punished."

As they were at Southampton in the season opener, Wrexham were competitive for the majority of the contest with Ryan Mason's side.

And while they lost for the second league fixture running, Dobson feels Wrexham can pick up positive results if they improve defensively given their attacking talents.

"I'm not sure how many shots we had but I feel like we looked like scoring," added Dobson.

"We've just got to get the solid base back of getting clean sheets and not conceding too many chances and I'm sure the results will turn because the character of the group is so strong.

"It's a great learning curve for us."

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Manager Phil Parkinson says the arrival of three Wales internationals at the Stok Cae Ras shows the progress Wrexham have made in recent seasons.

Goalkeeper Danny Ward and forwards Kieffer Moore and Nathan Broadhead are among the nine players that have signed since the end of last season.

"I think it's a great lift for everybody because with Wrexham everyone's very proud of the club and the country," Parkinson said.

"And to attract players who are internationals shows where we are."

One of the four professional Welsh clubs playing in the EFL, was Parkinson consciously seeking Wales qualified players for his squad?

"It's not really been a conscious effort," Parkinson replied.

"Just starting with Danny, we wanted to bring in an experienced goalkeeper and obviously Danny was very keen to come to us.

"He had offers to go into the Premier League as a number two or number three but straight away him and his agent said his preferred choice was Wrexham.

"Obviously that appeals to us that a player really wants to come to the club and understands what the area and the club's about straight away.

"And then with Kieffer, also the big attraction for him was coming to a Welsh club and obviously the Wrexham story.

"Nathan, coming back home it's great for him to be close to his family and his family to be able to watch him play.

"That was a very special moment for him when he finally got here."

Wrexham host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (12:30 BST) hunting their first win of their Championship season as the Baggies eye another victory after grabbing all three points against Blackburn on the opening weekend.

Red Dragons manager Phil Parkinson praised Ollie Palmer after his two goals helped them beat Hull City on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and revealed the player wants to stay, after his first competitive outing since February.

• This will be the first league meeting between Wrexham and West Brom, though the pair have met once before in the FA Cup, with the Welsh side winning 1-0 in January 1930.

• West Brom have won only one of their last seven away league games in Wales (D3 L3); a 1-0 victory at Cardiff City in November 2023.

• Wrexham have won their opening home game in five of their last six Football League campaigns with the only exception coming in 2023-24 (a 5-3 defeat by MK Dons).

• Following their 1-0 win at home to Blackburn on MD1, West Brom will be looking to start a league campaign with back-to-back victories for the first time since 2017-18 in the Premier League.

• In their opener vs Southampton, Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward made seven saves – the joint-most in a league match by a keeper for the club since they returned to the EFL in 2023-24.