Wrexham

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was pleased with how his team responded after the defeat at Shrewsbury by holding League One leaders Birmingham City to a 1-1 draw.

Parkinson's side remain third in the table, five points behind Birmingham.

"After we got beaten last week we needed to get back on the training pitch and work together because we were disappointed with how we played last week," Parkinson said.

"We had to put a performance in which was a reset for us and reflected what we're all about as a club and a team.

"I said to the lads before the game that two years ago we were playing Gateshead away in front of 1,000 people and now we're entertaining Birmingham in front of a full house and live on TV.

"We've earnt the right to be here but now we're here in these big games we've got to show everybody what we're all about.

"I think we did that all bar getting the winning goal."

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Max Cleworth says Wrexham are trying to block out the "outside noise" as they prepare to face Birmingham City in perhaps their biggest game of the season.

Wrexham welcome the League One leaders to the Stok Racecourse on Thursday (20:00 GMT) in a fixture being dubbed the 'Hollywood Derby' because of Blues' US backing and Wrexham's showbiz ownership.

But defender Cleworth insists Phil Parkinson's players are trying to ignore the hype as Wrexham look to avenge their 3-1 defeat at St Andrew's in September.

"The media are obviously hyping it up a bit more because of the American influence on both sides, but it's just another game for us, another chance to get three points and that's what we're looking to do," he said.

"Don't get me wrong, it's good to test yourself against teams like Birmingham, especially when you look at where Wrexham have come from and the teams we were facing. Birmingham coming to the Racecourse shows the progression.

"Ever since the owners (Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney) came in, there's been an added pressure. We've dealt with that when going for titles and promotions.

"We've got to try to ignore all the outside noise and focus on the job in hand."

Cleworth and his defensive colleagues will come up against two of League One's most potent strikers as they look to bounce back from last week's 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury and cut the five-point gap to Birmingham.

Blues pair Alfie May and Jay Stansfield have 22 league goals between them this season, while Chris Davies' team have the best defensive record in the division with just 17 conceded.

"They're obviously two really good players and they've got other strong players in their attack, whether they're starting or coming off the bench," said Cleworth.

"We're going to look to be at our best against them. We'll have to be right at it.

"Our home form is special, but it's not something we take for granted. We have to make sure we put the performance in."

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Wrexham's League One game at Reading has been rearranged for Tuesday, 11 March.

The trip to the Select Car Leasing Stadium was originally scheduled for 11 January, but postponed due to the Royals' FA Cup progress.

The rearranged fixture will kick off at 8pm.

That will mean a busy month for Phil Parkinson's side, with seven games now scheduled to take place in March.

The Reading match will fall between a home fixture against Rotherham on 8 March and a trip to automatic promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers on 15 March.

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has outlined why he allowed Iceland international Jon Dadi Bodvarsson to leave the club.

And he admits that "hopefully" there will be incomings to look out for after letting two forwards go from the Racecourse.

Bodvarsson and fellow striker Billy Waters were confirmed on Thursday night to have left the club by mutual consent.

While Waters has not been involved in EFL squads since winning promotion from the National League, former Bolton, Millwall and Reading frontman Bodvarsson was being tipped to make an impact when he joined on a short-term deal in October.

Signed amid fitness issues over Elliott Lee, Steven Fletcher and Jack Marriott, the 32-year-old Bodvarsson failed to score in seven appearances before his release.

Parkinson said: "Jon needed to go and play for his own carer and if we couldn't guarantee him game time he wanted to play because he's still young enough to continue his career."

Bodvarsson was announced as signing for Burton Albion following his release, while Waters has joined National League side Oldham Athletic.

With Marriott back from the broken leg that curtailed an impressive start to the season, Parkinson was asked if he expected signings, saying: "Hopefully there will be a few things that happen."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham deserve to be criticised for their cross-border derby defeat at Shrewsbury Town.

And the Wrexham boss has challenged his players to show they can respond in next week's high-profile meeting with League One leaders Birmingham City.

Wrexham disappointed as they went down at struggling Shrewsbury, with Parkinson saying he felt for fans as the north Wales side slipped from their usual standards.

A mistake and a penalty either side of Steven Fletcher's goal meant a 2-1 loss, leaving Wrexham two points behind Birmingham having played three games more than the Blues.

And Parkinson said: "I'm hurting for the fans. We knew what this meant to supporters and it's not often where we haven't performed to the levels we expect - but this was one of those nights. We have to take criticism together on the chin because it's deserved.

"We have to come out after a week's training and be ready for the Birmingham game."

Chris Davies' Birmingham won 3-1 against Wrexham at St Andrew's in September, with the game being dubbed the 'Hollywood Derby' because of Blues' US backing and Wrexham's showbiz ownership.

The teams meet again next week with much attention expected again.

"We have to regroup," Parkinson added.

"When we win we all take the plaudits together, so when we lose we have to take the disappointment together. We will do and come out ready to respond next week."

Birmingham face Exeter City on Saturday with the chance to go six points clear of Wrexham, while second-place Wycombe – level with the Red Dragons on 51 points – travel to Mansfield.

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Wexham goalkeeper Brad Foster has signed a deal to stay at the Stok Racecourse until the end of the season.

And his stay at the League Two club could yet be extended, with an option for a further year included in the new agreement.

Foster, 23, was brought in as short-term cover after injuries to first-choice keeper Arthur Okonkwo and back-up Callum Burton.

The former Derby County and West Brom youngster has deputised for Mark Howard, playing once – and earning a clean sheet – in the EFL Trophy win over Crewe.

Okonkwo has recovered from a broken wrist, returning to the starting XI at the start of the month, but Foster has done enough to earn the new contract.

"My target is just to keep improving in training, get my head down and earn my place here," Foster said.

Manager Phil Parkinson added: "Brad's trained really well and he's a good addition for us, and we look forward to continuing to work with him."

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Forwards Billy Waters and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson have left Wrexham by mutual consent.

Waters, 30, joined Wrexham from Barrow in March 2023 and was part of the squad which secured promotion to League Two that year.

He made a total of eight appearances during his time with Wrexham and had loan spells at Doncaster Rovers and Halifax Town.

Waters has joined National League side Oldham Athletic on an 18-month contract.

Iceland international Bodvarsson signed for Wrexham on a short-term deal in October.

He made a total of seven appearances for the club, and has now joined fellow League One side Burton Albion.

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Ryan Barnett hopes to be fit in time for Wrexham's League One game against Shrewsbury Town on Thursday.

The 25-year-old wing-back missed the 1-0 win against Peterborough with a hip injury, but is hoping to prove his fitness to manager Phil Parkinson before the trip to The Croud Meadow to face struggling Salop.

"I've been back in light training, and it's up to the manager to decide whether I'm ready or not," said former Shrewsbury player Barnett.

"It's been disappointing with the injury. I don't want to miss any games, but sometimes these things happen. It's part and parcel of the game. I've looked after myself and the physio has been really good with me."

Barnett has been in fine form this season, creating seven goals while having the highest number of assists in League One.

Having joined from Solihull Moors in 2023 when Wrexham were playing in the National League, he is now in his fourth season with the club.

Barnett, who began his career with hometown club Shrewsbury, is looking forward to facing them again at Oteley Road after being part of Wrexham's 1-0 win last season in the FA Cup third round.

"I had a few boos and a few shouts from the fans in the warm-up. I was on the bench, but coming on I didn't get much from the fans," he said.

"I think they understand I was there as an academy kid more than a first-team player. I felt quite a lot of respect from the Shrewsbury fans."

Wrexham, currently third in League One, will go top if they beat Shrewsbury and complete a double, having won this season's first meeting 3-0 in September.

A third consecutive promotion remains a possibility, and Barnett is confident they can keep up the pace with current leaders Birmingham City and second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, who have just lost their manager Matt Bloomfield to Luton Town.

"We started off great as a team," added Bennett. "And we've put ourselves in a great position for the second half of the season to go and push towards the top end.

"It's just a case of continuing that form and the positivity we have in that dressing room, and the confidence we've got from the platform we've given ourselves. It's going to be a great run-in."

Shrewsbury, who sit 22nd in League One, 34 points adrift of Wrexham, have the option of bringing in their new signing, prolific Leamington striker Callum Stewart.