Wrexham

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Mark Howard admits he's grateful to be adding value since returning to Wrexham's starting line-up after making his 400th career appearance.

Goalkeepers Arthur Okonkwo and Callum Burton have both been sidelined through injury of late, paving the way for Howard to feature in five successive matches.

He made his 400th career appearance during Wrexham's 2-1 win against Blackpool at the Stok Racecourse on 26 December.

And the 38-year-old is grateful to be contributing having had to settle for a place on the bench at best for the majority of his career in north Wales to date.

"I'm delighted to be back in the team," he said.

"It's never nice to get in the team through someone being injured, and unfortunately we've got two at the moment.

"For me personally to have achieved my 400th game, I don't want to look at the stat for the amount of times I've been on the bench, I think there's another 400 in there that I've missed out on.

"It's really good to feel like I'm adding value to the team again, not just off the pitch.

"To feel like I've come in and taken over from what the other two have done, it's nice to be back in there and show some of the younger ones that I can still do it."

Victory against Blackpool at the midway point of the campaign ensured Wrexham - who sit third in League One - kept the pressure on the current top two Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers.

And Howard feels Wrexham's squad and staff deserve immense credit for putting the club firmly in contention for a third successive promotion.

"To go back-to-back and then put ourselves in this position is an incredible achievement," added the veteran goalkeeper.

"We all want to keep knocking on the door to try and push out of this league.

"To be where we are is full credit to the staff and players. It's an unbelievable achievement."

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Wrexham head into the final days of 2024 hoping to round off a successful year by maintaining their fine home record.

Phil Parkinson's team are unbeaten on their own patch in League One this season, which is quite an achievement for a club playing at this level for the first time in almost two decades.

In 11 home league games in this campaign, Wrexham have chalked up nine wins and two draws, the second of which came against Cambridge United in their most recent Stok Racecourse fixture.

Wrexham have not lost on their ground – in league or cup – in more than nine months, since Tranmere Rovers triumphed 1-0 in north Wales on 16 March.

That was Wrexham's second league defeat of 2024, after Bradford City's triumph in February.

They were the only losses Wrexham have endured in 22 home league games in the calendar year, with 17 Dragons wins and three draws, 48 goals scored and just 11 conceded.

The hope for Parkinson's players is that their sparkling record looks even more impressive after they host Blackpool on Thursday, 26 December (15:00 GMT) and Wigan Athletic three days later.

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Phil Parkinson says he will not be overly critical of his Wrexham side after they let a lead slip late on for the second game in succession.

Promise Omochere struck in the 86th minute to earn Bristol Rovers a 1-1 draw with Parkinson's side - who went in front through Elliot Lee at the Memorial Stadium.

It came a week after Cambridge United snatched a 2-2 draw with the north Wales side at the Stok Racecourse courtesy of an 89th-minute penalty.

But Parkinson feels his side's showing against Bristol Rovers was worthy of victory - adding that Wrexham have the perfect chance to respond as they sign off 2024 with home matches against Blackpool and Wigan Athletic.

"We're just training as normal and we'll get ready for that game [Blackpool] which we'll look forward to," he said.

"It'd be nice to finish our home calendar off in good style. We'll just have to take this disappointment together.

"The fans were brilliant for us again today, what a turnout in these conditions.

"They've seen a performance of absolute endeavour from the boys today, you can't fault that.

"It's always easy to end up being too critical after the disappointment of conceding a late goal, but we really should be talking about a comfortable victory today."

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Arthur Okonkwo is still "a while" away from returning from injury, according to Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

The goalkeeper has been sidelined since breaking his wrist during his side's 1-0 win against Mansfield Town on 9 November.

Ahead of Wrexham's trip to Bristol Rovers, Parkinson confirmed Okonkwo and forward Jack Marriott (broken leg) were both making good progress during their respective recoveries.

Following the 1-1 draw with the Gas on Saturday, Parkinson said Wrexham will continue to monitor Okonkwo closely before allowing him to return to action.

"Arthur, he's going to be a while but there's no problem with the bone and the way it's healed which is great," said Parkinson.

"I don't really want to put a [return] date, let's just see how he progresses over the next week or so.

"Mark's [Mark Howard] been brilliant, his kicking today [against Bristol Rovers] and his all-round calmness was superb."

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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.