Wrexham

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says the departure of Matt Taylor as Bristol Rovers boss creates a "bit of unpredictability" ahead of Saturday's League One meeting.

Taylor was sacked earlier this week after the Pirates' defeat by Birmingham left the club two points above the League One relegation zone.

"I know Matt and I feel sorry for him losing his job," Parkinson said.

"He's a good manager and a really good guy so I was so disappointed for him.

"There's talk of a manager possibly being appointed by the weekend so that creates an unpredictability in terms of how they're going to line up personnel wise."

Rovers' defeat at Birmingham was their third in a row in the league, while their goal difference of -11 is the worst in the division, aside from the four sides in the relegation zone.

"We're not sure how they are going to set up, but let's concentrate on ourselves and what we need to do," Parkinson added.

"You have to be at the races every game to get the result like we have been the majority of the season."

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Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and striker Jack Marriott are both making good progress as they recover from injuries.

Okonkwo suffered a broken wrist in Wrexham's 1-0 win over Mansfield Town on 9 November and although he did not require surgery was ruled out for an initial six weeks.

Marriott suffered a broken leg during training in October which required surgery and sideline him for four months.

"Arthur saw the specialist on Wednesday and got really positive feedback about the way that the bone's healed," manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"That's great news for him as well as us because there's nothing worse than a player to be out injured and he's been back out on the grass with us in the last week.

"Jack Marriott is also progressing quicker than we expected and he's determined to keep knocking days if not weeks off his return to training date.

"We're expecting him to be back on the grass next week."

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Wrexham have been boosted ahead of the busy holiday fixture period by the return to action of midfielder George Evans.

The 30-year-old started Tuesday's reserve team game against Salford City and enjoyed more than an hour of action before being withdrawn in the 2-1 home defeat.

Evans had been sidelined since damaging ankle ligaments in a 1-0 League One loss at Stevenage at the start of October.

"That gives us another body going into the Christmas period," Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson said.

"We'll have a good week and we'll be ready for action come next week."

Wrexham signed Evans from Millwall in September 2023 on a two-year deal, with the player signing a new contract in July 2024 that committed his future to the club until 2026.

Wrexham will play five games between 21 December and 4 January, beginning with Saturday's league trip to Bristol Rovers that kicks off at 12:30 GMT.

"We've got the squad to cope with that and that's what football's all about, and it's about enjoying it," Parkinson added.

"I think the lads love playing games, and as a manager and staff we enjoy match days. The games come thick and fast, but everyone knows the schedule at the start of the season and we're ready for each one as they come along."

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Wrexham have been drawn at home against Swansea City in the semi-finals of the Genero Adran Trophy.

In the other side of the draw, The New Saints will host Briton Ferry Llansawel - like Wrexham debutants at this stage - with both ties set to be played on Sunday, 12 January.

The Red Dragons booked a place in the final four of the competition for the first time by beating Barry Town United 3-1 at Jenner Park.

Swansea, last season's beaten finalists, sauntered through to the semi-finals by beating second tier Cascade 5-0.

Wrexham and Swansea last met at the Stok Racecourse back in September in the Adran Premier, with Katie Sharp's own goal ultimately proving the difference as the visitors won 3-2 despite a late Wrexham goal from Rosie Hughes.

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Phil Parkinson admits he enjoyed meeting club co-owner Ryan Reynolds prior to Wrexham's draw with Cambridge United as the club continue to prepare for the January transfer window.

Reynolds was in attendance at the Stok Racecourse - along with actors Channing Tatum and Brandon Sklenar and Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong - as Wrexham drew 2-2 with Garry Monk's side.

And after having talks before Saturday's fixture, Parkinson says he is due to hold more discussions with Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney this week as he plans to bolster his squad next month.

"It's always a bit special when Ryan is over here because he's the joint-owner of the football club," said the Wrexham boss.

"I'm in touch with Rob and Ryan through texting etc. as we go along because they like to be updated all the time.

"But it's good to have a chat, although it's a shame we couldn't get the points for him.

"We've had a chat and we've got another one about that [transfer window]. Rob and Ryan only get involved when we're closing in on somebody."

Wrexham signed free agents Matty James and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in October.

And Parkinson feels the club have more big decisions to make during the winter window as they look to ensure they remain in the hunt for promotion from League One.

"January comes and that process is ongoing always because we've got players on loan that could come back, we've got other players who have been out of the frame that may want to go," added Parkinson.

"So there's a lot of decisions to be made but my job is to sit down with everybody and make sure we make the right ones and keep the momentum we've got."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham can be pleased with the "overall picture" of the club despite being frustrated late on during Saturday's League One fixture against Cambridge United.

Parkinson's men looked on course for another home triumph until Dan Nlundulu scored a late penalty to earn Cambridge a 2-2 draw at the Stok Racecourse.

Wrexham slipped to third in the table after Birmingham City beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the weekend, although Parkinson hailed his side's points return so far as "outstanding".

"There's always going to be an element of frustration when you drop two points at home, but when we review it and look at the overall picture, we're in a very good position," he said.

"We're always evolving as a team and learning about the league and the players we're coming up against.

"It's (the aim) to maintain standards in every game and look at when it doesn't quite go our way, what we can do better, which we'll do from today.

"But all in all, the points tally from the games has been outstanding from us."

Wrexham remain unbeaten at home in the league this season having won nine and drawn two of their 11 fixtures at the Stok Racecourse to date.

But they face fierce competition from the likes of Wycombe Wanderers and Birmingham for a top-two spot.

Parkinson hinted his side could bolster their squad during the January transfer window as they bid to keep pace with League One's big guns.

"We've got some really good players and the squad is strong. Who knows, we might even improve that in January," added the Wrexham boss.

"The strength in depth in the division, there's a lot of teams that'll still have an eye on those top two positions.

"We've got to work really hard in terms of our analysis, the training and everything else and keep doing what we've got to do, and we'll see if that's enough come the end of the season."

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Bristol Rovers have sacked manager Matt Taylor prior to their League One fixture with Wrexham on Saturday.

Rovers have lost three league matches in succession, failing to score a single goal in that period.

They sit 20th ahead of the visit of Wrexham at the weekend - just two points above the relegation zone.

And the club confirmed on Monday morning that they have relieved Taylor and assistant manager Wayne Carlisle of their first team duties.

A club statement read: "The club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Matt and Wayne for all their hard work during their time with Bristol Rovers, and we wish them both every success in their respective future careers.

"David Horseman and Lee Cattermole will take interim responsibility for first-team football duties while the club undertakes a thorough recruitment process for a new first-team manager."

Bristol Rovers' match against Wrexham at The Memorial Stadium gets underway at 12:30 GMT on Saturday.

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Wrexham will discover their EFL Trophy last-16 opponents when the draw is held on Saturday morning.

Wrexham made it through the round of 32 thanks to a 1-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday, courtesy of Aaron James' late header.

The Dragons are ball number seven in the north section of the draw, which will be shown live on Sky Sports at approximately 11:50 GMT.

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson and defender Max Cleworth have been nominated for the League One manager and player of month awards for November.

Parkinson, who was manager of the month in August, has been nominated again after three league wins in four games.

The Dragons, who are second in the table, beat Mansfield Town, Exeter City and Lincoln City in November.

Parkinson, who was appointed in July 2021, has led Wrexham to back-to-back promotions which have seen them rise from the National League to English football's third tier, where they last played 19 years ago.

Cleworth has been influential in a Wrexham defence which conceded only one league goal in November.

The 22-year-old also scored twice last month, in the league against Exeter and in the EFL Trophy against Port Vale, and is now Wrexham's joint top goalscorer this season with five goals.

The award winners will be announced on Friday, 13 December.

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Aaron James' late header saw Wrexham knock out visitors Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy round of 32.

Mo Faal was the first to test a goalkeeper with a powerful effort from distance that was fielded by Crewe's Filip Marschall.

But opposite number Brad Foster, playing his first game at the Stok Racecourse, was soon in action to save a fierce volley from Kian Breckin and later did well to deny Adrien Thibaut.

Crewe, a division below their hosts from League One, continued to push after the break and Foster again had to be on his mettle to save smartly from Fin Roberts and then Owen Lunt.

But with a penalty shoot-out looming, Wrexham snatched victory when Aaron James powered home a header - his first for the Dragons - after latching onto Paul Mullin's cross.

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Elliot Lee says grinding out a win in awful conditions at Burton Albion showed how together Wrexham are as a squad as they aim to keep their "brilliant" season going with league and cup games at home this week.

Phil Parkinson's side face Crewe in the EFL Trophy tonight (19:30 GMT kick-off) before hosting Cambridge United in League One on Saturday.

They could potentially move three points clear at the top after going level with leaders Wycombe thanks to Lee's goal direct from a corner.

When asked if he felt he could score from a corner, Lee responded: "Yes, I think there was a corner just before that one - or two before it - that just went over the bar.

"We work on set pieces with Parky (Parkinson) and sometimes we're given licence to shoot.

"With all the wind, he told us to shoot for goal because even if it goes onto the keeper, all the lads are steaming in and it's hard for the keeper.

"So it was a shot on goal and luckily for me it's gone in at the far post."

Lee's fifth goal of the season was enough to give Wrexham their fourth successive win and fourth clean sheet in a row.

"It shows how together we all are from top to bottom," he said.

"There's a strong bond between the lads and the staff. No matter where we go, no matter the conditions we can grind out wins, keep clean sheets and we've got the quality to score goals at the other end.

"It's been an unbelievable effort from the boys. We're doing brilliantly and we're not even halfway through the season.

"There's still a lot of work to be done. We'll keep doing what we're doing and see where it takes us."

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Wrexham's English Football League (EFL) Trophy contest with Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night will go ahead as scheduled after the Stok Racecourse was impacted by Storm Darragh.

A section of the roof of the stadium's Macron Stand was damaged due to strong winds in the region on Saturday.

Mold Road - located next to the stadium - was closed for safety purposes, although the club have confirmed their second round cup tie on Tuesday is unaffected.

A club statement read: "Work has been ongoing to clear up after Storm Darragh and we can confirm there is no risk to tomorrow's match at home to Crewe Alex."

Phil Parkinson's side topped their group to progress into the second round having secured wins over Wolves Under-21s and Salford City.

Their only loss came on penalties against Port Vale after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

Kick-off against Crewe is at 19:30 GMT.

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Iwan Roberts feels Wrexham's ability to grind out results has been pivotal to why they are "absolutely flying" in League One.

Elliot Lee scored the only goal of the match directly from a corner as Phil Parkinson's side secured a fourth successive win by beating Burton Albion 1-0 on Saturday.

And while Roberts feels Wrexham's win at Burton should have been less nervy, the ex-Wales forward says their ability to shutout opponents was vital in what were testing conditions at the Pirelli Stadium.

"It should have been a more comfortable win," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"But they're absolutely flying. It was their fourth consecutive win without conceding, it's 12 clean sheets in 19 games for Wrexham.

"They've closed the gap to Wycombe with Birmingham just behind them.

"It was just a case of getting the job done on Saturday and that's what happened.

"Four of their last five wins have been by the same scoreline, by 1-0, so they know how to grind it out and get these important results in difficult circumstances."