Wrexham

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George Dobson earned huge praise from boss Phil Parkinson after netting his first goal of the season in Wrexham's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City.

Despite the arrivals of players including Lewis O'Brien, Ben Sheaf and George Thomason during the summer transfer window, Dobson has been a mainstay in his side's midfield, playing every single minute of league action for the Red Dragons.

His early header was cancelled out by Patrick Roberts' second half strike as Wrexham were held to a draw by the Blues, but Parkinson could not hide his delight at the impact made by Dobson in the Championship.

"Dobbo's got such a big heart," said Parkinson.

"He's showed a real determination to show everybody he can play at this level.

"He's had a lot of years in League One and I'm so pleased for him because he's showed great character out on the pitch since day one of the season.

"He closes down, he's pressed and shown real quality on the ball.

"It's great for him to get that moment tonight, I just wish it was the winning moment, but I'm really pleased with Dobbo."

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Wrexham will assess the fitness of forward Josh Windass ahead of Friday's home game against Birmingham City in the Championship.

Windass, 31, came off with an ankle injury in the second half of Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Leicester City.

Manager Phil Parkinson said the former Sheffield Wednesday player had also suffered an ankle issue in last Saturday's home 1-1 draw against Derby County.

"Josh had a whack on the ankle against Derby which was quite a lot of swelling in it," Parkinson said. "We're just assessing tomorrow [Friday].

"We've got other options, but in fairness to him, he put himself right up there to play on Tuesday night.

"That's great for us to see because there's going to be knocks when the games come as fast as they have done.

"Sometimes players have got to get on with it and Josh showed a great example."

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Liberato Cacace is being earmarked for a Wrexham return after this month's international break.

And the squad could also be soon boosted by fit-again midfielder Ollie Rathbone, who manager Phil Parkinson says "is getting stronger by the day".

Rathbone was Wrexham's player of the season last term as the club sealed promotion from League One.

But the 28-year-old has not featured in the current campaign after suffering an ankle injury during the pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Rathbone has now returned to training and – having initially been left out of Wrexham's 25-man EFL squad – is closing in on a comeback to boost Parkinson's options.

No timeline has been given for the energetic Rathbone's return, but this month's Championship meeting with Stoke City is a game being eyed up for full-back Cacace.

The summer signing from Empoli started Wrexham's opening game of the campaign and also featured in the win at Millwall on 30 August, but has been sidelined with a second hamstring injury this season.

The New Zealand international has been omitted from the All Whites' squad for their games with Poland and Norway this month, with Parkinson suggesting Cacace will be back in the fold for the trip to take on the Potters on 18 October.

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Matty James says Wrexham's players will focus on the football rather than the boardroom as they target a first home league victory of the season against Birmingham City on Friday.

Wrexham's upturn in form continued as they claimed a creditable draw at Leicester City on Tuesday.

Phil Parkinson's men now turn their attention to facing the Blues in the so-called 'Hollywood derby'.

Wrexham and Birmingham have developed something of a rivalry in recent times, partly because they scrapped it out for the League One title last season and partly because of their celebrity owners.

While actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been in charge at Wrexham since 2021, Birmingham's ownership group includes NFL great Tom Brady.

Midfielder James says Wrexham's players and staff are well aware of the attention their celebrity owners bring to the club - but insists it will have no impact come kick-off against Birmingham.

"The owners are superstars in their own right in different industries, and I think naturally that brings a huge amount of media attention that can sometimes kind of distract you away from what is actually going on," he said.

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"I think certainly the outside noise is very, very big. But for us as a group I think when you are at Wrexham, we are kind of used to it a little bit.

"Birmingham it's a little bit new over the last couple of years, but for us we let the outside noise do what it needs to do. We'll go out there, put a performance in and hopefully get the three points on Friday night."

After starting the season with back-to-back league defeats, Wrexham have lost just one of their past eight matches in all competitions.

They have banked seven points from their past three away games but are still without a Championship victory at the Stok Cae Ras.

Veteran former Leicester and Bristol City player James, 34, says Wrexham are taking "little steps" following the club's return to the second tier – and that success at home is the next goal.

"I think it's so important for us," he added.

"We had such a good record at home last year and it's kind of flipped a little bit.

"If we replicate the performance that we produced at Leicester, I'm sure we won't be too far off on Friday."

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson speaks to BBC Sport Wales after his side's 1-1 draw at Leicester City on Tuesday.

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Max Cleworth says Wrexham will savour the moment when they go to Leicester City on Tuesday (19:45 BST) as Phil Parkinson's side go in search of a third straight away league win.

Leicester, who famously won the Premier League title in 2016, are aiming for an immediate return to the top flight this season after relegation last term.

Wrexham, by contrast, are attempting to establish themselves in the Championship having climbed into the second tier for only the second time in the club's history on the back of three successive promotions.

Defender Cleworth, one of the survivors of the Red Dragons side who were playing in the National League as recently as 2023, says league trips to clubs like Leicester are "a big thing".

"When you think back to three years ago and some of the away days in the National League, now we are going to the King Power," he said.

"You do have to pinch yourself a little bit. It's something we have to enjoy and then go out there and put in a good performance for the fans, who will once again travel in numbers.

"These are the games you want to play when you come up to the Championship."

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Wrexham are 15th in the early-season table having lost only once in five Championship games since beginning the campaign with back-to-back league losses.

They are yet to win at home in the league since promotion from League One, but have claimed notable victories at Norwich City and Millwall in their past two away trips.

Now comes the challenge of facing fifth-placed Leicester, who have lost just one league game so far this season but have drawn the past three.

After an overhaul of Parkinson's squad during the summer transfer window, Cleworth reckons Wrexham are improving all the time.

"There was a big turnover of players this summer and it's taken a bit of time to gel," he added.

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We asked you, Wrexham's fans, for your thoughts as Phil Parkinson's men prepare for Championship games against Leicester City and Birmingham City this week – as well as how many points they will get.

The Red Dragons are 15th in the early-season league table after Saturday's draw with Derby County made it eight points taken from the past five second-tier games.

Wrexham go to Leicester on Tuesday (19:45 BST) before Birmingham visit the Stok Cae Ras on Friday.

Here are some of your views.

Callum - I think that the message of consistency from the manager shouldn't be celebrated. No win at home yet, drawing against a Derby side that has been terrible so far this season is not something to be proud of. Next two games against Leicester and Birmingham will be interesting to see if any changes are made, however I see Wrexham getting no points from either game in current form.

Andy - Although there has been some recent improvements in the pace of our play, I think two draws would be a good outcome. Realistically, I think we will end up with one point after the Leicester and Birmingham games.

Andrew - Two difficult games against teams expected to be promoted this year, and possibly a week where Kieffer Moore may not be available, certainly for Tuesday's game at Leicester. Our performances are improving and can see us getting at least two points or possibly four with a win and draw. It will be interesting to see how Parky (Parkinson) uses his squad and would like to see [Ollie] Rathbone in the squad and getting some game time in both matches. Disappointed Rathbone was not on the bench against Derby, but maybe kept fresh for the two tough games this week.

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John - I think it will tough to get anything at Leicester, whoever the XI we start with, so maybe rotate the team and prioritise the three points against Ryan and Rob's tribute act on Friday.

Mark - I predict four points. Draw at Leicester (we have been good away this season) followed by a first home win against Birmingham. Parky is getting the new boys integrated and we look better each game.

Jimbob - Four points from the next 2 games would be a great result. But I think 3 is more realistic. C'mon you Reds!!

Jon - It feels that we might expect two competitive games, but that depends on which Wrexham team we see. The drab, boring, slow side in the first half of the Derby game and we might expect one point as a maximum. The open, more attacking, flowing team of the second half and we could be looking at four. Personally I wouldn't dream of all six points but these things can happen, sometimes...

Daniel - It's time to get serious boys! Let's get SIX!

Bob - Looking good, not being defeated by like 7-0. Just gel the team Phil.

Dave - I am a true Wrexham fan and have been for over nearly 60 years. The way they are playing at the moment being a new team in a new division, I'd love them to get points out of both matches. Let's wait and see.

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Leicester City and Wrexham will lock horns for the first time in more than 43 years as the Red Dragons head for the King Power on Tuesday night (19:45 BST).

After picking up their second point from four home games with Saturday's 1-1 draw against Derby, Phil Parkinson's men are seeking to re-write their own record books by winning a third straight away game and registering their first ever win over the Foxes.

Marti Cifuentes' men salvaged a point at West Brom on Friday night to make it three straight draws and five games unbeaten in the Championship but have collected seven points and are unbeaten in their three homes games so far and have conceded only once.

• This will be the first meeting in any competition between Leicester City and Wrexham since a goalless draw in the second tier in April 1982.

• Wrexham have never won in six previous league meetings with Leicester (D3 L3); the Foxes have only faced Crewe (10), Loughborough (10), and Scunthorpe (8) more times without ever losing in the Football League, while the Red Dragons have only faced Crystal Palace (16) more without ever winning.

• Leicester have kept four clean sheets in their past five home league games, as many as their previous 30 beforehand.

• Wrexham have won four of their past five away league games (L1), and could win three in a row on the road in the second tier for the first time in their history.

• Wrexham's Josh Windass has scored four goals in his past three away league appearances, and could score in four in a row for the very first time in the EFL.

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The Carabao Cup fourth-round tie between Wrexham and Cardiff City will take place on Tuesday, 28 October (20:00 GMT).

The game at the Stok Cae Ras has been selected for live TV coverage on free-to-air ITV as well as Sky Sports.

This will be the first meeting between the two Welsh sides since 2004, when Wrexham triumphed on penalties in an FAW Premier Cup tie.

It is also the first match between the two clubs in this competition in 62 years.

Championship side Wrexham have reached the fourth round courtesy of wins over Hull City, Preston North End and Reading, while League One high-flyers Cardiff have seen off Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town and Premier League Burnley.

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Wrexham face Leicester City and Birmingham City in their final two Championship matches before the penultimate international break of the year.

But how many points do you think Phil Parkinson's side will gain from their two upcoming fixtures?

Have your say here!

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Boss Phil Parkinson believes Arthur Okonkwo delivered his best performance of the season so far in Wrexham's 1-1 draw with Derby County.

The goalkeeper has started three successive Championship matches for the Red Dragons following the injury sustained by Wales international Danny Ward in the 2-0 win at Millwall in late August.

The 24-year-old was alert to deny both Max Johnston and Carlton Morris in quick succession in the second half as Wrexham's draw stretched their unbeaten run across all competitions to three matches.

"We've got to remember [Okonkwo's impact] because as much as we're saying we're disappointed we haven't won, Arthur's pulled off two great saves," said Parkinson.

"He's a player who has grown into the division. He didn't get the number one jersey at the start because I felt Wardy was more ready.

"But Arthur is now improving game by game, and that was certainly his best display. I'm pleased for him."

The draw means Wrexham have collected eight points from a possible 21 in the Championship so far this season.

They take on Leicester City on Tuesday night (19:45 BST) and then host Birmingham City three days later (20:00 BST) in their final fixture before the penultimate international break of the year.

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Boss Phil Parkinson feels Wrexham are finding consistency in the Championship after their controlled showing in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Derby County.

Lewis O'Brien's 59th-minute header at the Stok Cae Ras was cancelled out by Ben Brereton Diaz's stunning strike as the points were shared in north Wales.

But the draw with the Rams meant Wrexham are unbeaten in three matches across all competitions, and Parkinson believes his side - who had more possession, shots and shots on target against Derby - are showing signs of growth in the second tier.

"If you look at the run we've had, the Preston win, the Millwall win, we lost to QPR then we've won at Norwich and on Tuesday (against Reading) and drawn today, we're definitely seeing some consistency in our play," said the Wrexham boss.

"We're definitely learning as a team. The lads who have come up with us are learning about the demands of the Championship.

"We're all so disappointed we haven't won because the crowd were brilliant for us today.

"I've got to thank them for that because that atmosphere today was where we need it to make it an intimidating place for the opposition to play.

"I thought the crowd really played their part and I'd have loved to have rewarded them with a win."

Issa Kabore registered a third assist in just his second appearance since joining Wrexham on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

And Parkinson hailed the Burkina Faso international as a "great signing" following his impressive home debut.

"Issa was brilliant again today," said Parkinson.

"It's his quality, but he fights for every ball, he gets back quickly, he's a good defender and that was a goal that will be up there with the contenders for one of the best goals in the Championship today.

"He plays with a real heart and commitment. When we watched him, I really liked that about him.

"He runs back as quick as he goes forward. He's tenacious, he wants to win and he's a great signing for us."