Wrexham

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Wrexham are "still in the mix" to do well in the Championship this season despite their setback at Hull City, according to the club's former midfielder Waynne Phillips.

The Red Dragons' nine-game unbeaten run in the league was ended by the Tigers on Wednesday night as Kyle Joseph and Oli McBurnie scored either side of Kieffer Moore's penalty miss at the MKM Stadium.

Despite Wrexham being well below their best against Sergej Jakirovic's outfit, Phillips believes Phil Parkinson's side can still be in contention for a play-off spot at the business end of the campaign.

"Nothing will change my view on the 95 minutes of football here at Hull. I'm disappointed with what I've seen, but I still think they're in the mix with a lot of other teams to do well in the Championship this season," Phillips told BBC Radio Wales.

"They'll look back and see what they could have done better here this evening and learn from the mistakes they've made.

"I'm sure Phil Parkinson is like myself, they never get too high when they win and they won't get too low when they lose.

"He'll be thinking now of how he can pick a team to win on Saturday at the Racecourse. It's always about how you bounce back, Hull did it tonight."

Parkinson was left to rue naming an unchanged starting line-up following his side's 1-1 draw with Preston North End at Deepdale four days earlier, with Wrexham lacking their usual energy against Hull.

And Phillips feels the Wrexham boss could make several changes to his team for Saturday's contest with Watford at the Stok Cae Ras (15:00 GMT).

"They'll come away from games sometimes thinking they were the better team and have lost or drawn. But tonight they can have no complaints with the outcome," he said.

"It'll be a deflated changing room for Wrexham, but they've got to get on with it."

On the potential changes, Phillips added: "As a player, every single one of them will be worried if they're starting on Saturday. I'm sure we'll see changes just to freshen it up again."

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Phil Parkinson was left to rue naming an unchanged starting line-up as Wrexham were beaten 2-0 by Hull City at the MKM Stadium.

The visitors selected the same side that started Saturday's 1-1 draw at Preston North End for the contest with the Tigers as Wrexham's nine-game unbeaten Championship run came to an end.

"We went with the same team with the extra day of rest and I felt that was the right decision," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing. When you looked at the performance and the lack of energy in the team, I've got to review that.

"However, we've been on a great run and the lads have given us a lot in a tough league.

"We've put in some really good performances in the nine-game run we've been on so I don't want to be too critical. I will review myself and my decisions and we'll respond at the weekend."

Kyle Joseph and Oli McBurnie netted either side of Kieffer Moore's second half penalty miss as the Red Dragons were beaten for the first time in the league since losing 1-0 at Stoke City in mid-October.

And while frustrated with his side's showing in Hull, Parkinson felt Wales striker Moore's penalty miss proved pivotal in the contest.

"It was a disappointing performance. The first half we gave the ball away too many times in dangerous areas," added Parkinson.

"We'd spoken about them reacting to Friday (Hull's loss to Middlesbrough) and pressing. We tried to play through it and we were too slow on the ball and invited that press.

"We conceded a goal which was one we could have dealt with but we had a great chance with Kieffer to level it.

"Second half I thought we started really well, got the penalty and that's the deciding moment in the game which was frustrating for us because if that goes in it could have been a different picture."

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Phil Parkinson confirmed Wrexham have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their Championship contest with Hull City tonight (20:00 GMT).

Long-term absentees Andy Cannon, Danny Ward and Jay Rodriguez are continuing to work their way back to full fitness while the likes of Elliot Lee, Liberato Cacace and Lewis Brunt are currently sidelined.

But Parkinson will have the same group of players who were involved in the 1-1 draw with Preston North End on Saturday to select from for his side's trip to the MKM Stadium.

"We've had a good couple of days with the lads. I've been pleased with how the lads have recovered from the weekend, and how the other ones who didn't start have trained," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"There's no knocks or anything, everybody's come through the game well.

"No one fresh comes in to the squad, but equally everyone who was available for the weekend is still available."

Transfer deadline day signing Issa Kabore remains absent as a result of the hamstring injury he sustained while on international duty with Burkina Faso in November.

But Parkinson was eager to praise Ryan Barnett for his showing against Preston in the absence of Kabore - who is "progressing well" in his recovery.

"He's doing fine, he's progressing well. He lives close by to Man City's training ground so it's logical for him to go in there rather than sitting in his car and driving here each day," Parkinson said of Kabore.

"Kev [head of performance medicine and sports science, Kevin Mulholland] is monitoring him. He's been to the games and we've touched base with him.

"The injury was a frustrating one for him and us, but equally other players get an opportunity.

"I was so pleased for Ryan Barnett at the weekend. He came in and made a statement with his display.

"I'm very pleased because everyone knows of the contribution Ryan has made in his time with us. His chances have been limited, but he showed what he is, which is a real talent."

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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson described his side's FA Cup third-round draw with Nottingham Forest as a "great tie" ahead of the meeting between the sides in January.

The Red Dragons have played several high-profile cup fixtures in recent years, including against Sheffield United in both the FA Cup and League Cup and Coventry City in the FA Cup.

But they will face Premier League opposition for the first time under Parkinson when Sean Dyche takes his side to the Stok Cae Ras in the New Year.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 10 January 2026.

"It's a great tie for us, it couldn't have been better really in terms of having a home tie against a Premier League club," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"I just thought it was great. It's one we can look forward to after Christmas."

Dyche is the third manager to take charge of Forest so far this season, with Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou both departing earlier on in the campaign.

While primarily focused on his side's upcoming league schedule, Parkinson said he is relishing the opportunity to lock horns with former Watford, Burnley and Everton boss Dyche.

"He's definitely a good manager, I've come across Sean in the past," added Parkinson.

"He's very well respected in football. I think he probably got undervalued at the job he did at Burnley - keeping them in the Premier League year after year was an incredible achievement.

"He's started well at Forest, he's got them going and it'll be a great game, it really will, cup football is brilliant.

"For us now, we'll put that on the back burner. There was a buzz about the place this morning because we've always said we'd love to get a Premier League team at home and we've been able to do that, but now it's about focusing on the league form."

Hull City will hope to get their play-off quest back on track when they welcome Wrexham on Wednesday night (20:00 GMT).

The Tigers have won just two of their past six games (L4) and were well beaten in the 4-1 loss at home to Middlesbrough last time out.

The Red Dragons have adapted well to life in the Championship after three back-to-back promotions and are unbeaten in their past nine games (W4 D5).

Victory for Wrexham at the MKM Stadium would see them leapfrog Hull and keep them firmly in the mix for a top six challenge.

• This is the first league meeting between Hull City and Wrexham since February 2005, and a 2-1 win for the Tigers under Peter Taylor in League One.

• This is also the first league meeting between Hull and Wrexham in the second tier or higher, with their previous 38 meetings coming in either the third (36) or fourth (2) tier of English football.

• Hull have won just two of their past 13 league games against promoted sides (D6 L5), though one of those was a 3-2 victory against Birmingham City this season.

• Hull have lost 10 of their past 15 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Championship games (W3 D2), though all five where they've avoided defeat have been at home.

• Wrexham have conceded just one goal in their four midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) Championship games this season (W2 D2), keeping a clean sheet in each of the past three.

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Manager Phil Parkinson lauded Kieffer Moore's "great return" after the striker notched his 10th goal of the season in all competitions for Wrexham in his side's 1-1 draw with Preston North End.

The striker tapped into the net in the fourth minute to give the visitors the lead at Deepdale - only for Harrison Armstrong to bag his first goal for North End to salvage a point for Paul Heckingbottom's side.

Moore's effort against the Lilywhites means just five players have netted more times in the Championship than the Wales international this term.

"Without a doubt, 10 goals from open play before Christmas is a great return," said Parkinson.

"He's a real handful but he's got a lot to his game.

"I think all of our supporters have seen that in terms of his hold-up play, his ability to stretch the pitch as well and it's great for him to get a goal."

Despite extending their unbeaten run in the league to nine matches, Parkinson said his players were disappointed in the changing room after the contest in Lancashire.

"I'm so sad (for the fans) that we didn't get that win and that dressing room was a quiet one afterwards but I don't want it to be, because I think we should be proud of the way we've gone about that today," he said.

"That was a proper game of football and we stood strong in all departments."

The 58-year-old added: "We're going toe-to-toe with teams and you can see that all the time.

"Preston have been in this division a long time. They've had a long time to recruit a Championship-standard squad and they've got good depth in there, and you could see that from the bench.

"I don't think we could have asked for any more from the boys today, I thought they gave us so much.

"I think that the real winner today was Championship football because there'll be people watching that game in really difficult conditions.

"The word honesty stands out to me from both sets of players, there's tackles going in and there's just a real fairness and competitiveness about the game."

This is a first league meeting (15:00 GMT) between Preston North End and Wrexham for a quarter of a century.

Preston are looking to avoid back-to-back home league defeats for the first time since April while Wrexham head to Deepdale on the Championship's current longest unbeaten run of eight games.

• Preston are unbeaten in their past five league games against Wrexham (W3 D2), with this their first meeting since a 1-0 home win in March 2000.

• In a run stretching back to 1982, Wrexham have lost six of their past seven away league games against Preston, winning the other 1-0 in October 1997.

• Preston have lost two of their past four home league games (W2), as many as they had in their previous 21 at Deepdale (W7 D12).

• Wrexham are unbeaten in their past eight league games, alternating between a victory (4) and a draw (4) each time. They drew 1-1 against Blackburn Rovers last time out.

• No side in England's top four tiers has drawn more league games than Wrexham this season, with their eight stalemates the most of any side in the Championship.

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Phil Parkinson says Jay Rodriguez and Andy Cannon will return to the Wrexham squad on 1 January.

The duo have not played a single minute of action for the Red Dragons this season due to injury and were left out of the 25-man squad the club submitted to the English Football League following the closure of the summer transfer window.

"Football changes quickly. We've got Rodriguez, Andy Cannon, [Ollie] Rathbone are all chomping at the bit," said Parkinson.

"Rodriguez and Cannon will come back into the squad on 1 January, we've got Brunty [Lewis Brunt] closing in on a return, Elliot Lee.

"There's players in football, people think they've not got a chance to get a place in the team, like George Thomason for instance who had a bad start to the season through injury, he wasn't on the bench, and next game he starts, makes a statement with his performance and now he's right in the middle of our thinking."

A number of players including summer signings Ryan Hardie and Conor Coady have struggled to get regular game time this season.

Before Wrexham's final six Championship matches of the year, Parkinson addressed his squad with the aim of ensuring all players remain focused on achieving the same goal.

"Inevitably, everybody wants to play, it goes without saying," explained the Wrexham manager. "I spoke to the lads about it today as we go into this next run of games.

"Our strength throughout my time at Wrexham is controlling that disappointment when you're not in the team, making sure that if you're on the bench, you're ready to impact the game.

"If you're not on the bench, it's making sure your training standards are maintained.

"I think that strength, spirit and togetherness is important because every club has got players out of the team.

"Those ones out of the team can sometimes be as important as those in the team.

"We've spoken about that a lot during my time as this club and I've felt that is a key element to our success over the last few years and there's an understanding that we need to maintain that."

Image source, McLaren/Wrexham AFC

Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson has described the breaking ground on the construction of the new Kop Stand at the STōK Cae Ras as "a hugely significant moment" for the club and its supporters.

A ceremony on Thursday marked the beginning of the full construction phase of a new 7,750-capacity Kop Stand which will take the overall capacity of the stadium to just over 18,000.

The new stand is set for completion during the 2026-27 season, and along with other works planned, will make Wrexham's ground fully compliant with Uefa category 4 stadium standards.

"The Kop has always held deep importance, and today's ceremony marks the beginning of its long-awaited return," Williamson said.

"Over the coming months, fans will see the structure take shape as we build a stand that enhances capacity, improves facilities and secures the future of the STōK Cae Ras as a top-tier venue for domestic, international football and other sporting and entertainment events."

Representatives from the club, Wrexham County Borough Council, McLaren Construction Midlands and North, the Welsh Government and Wrexham University were among those at Thursday's breaking ground ceremony.

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Former Wales striker Sam Vokes says the job Phil Parkinson has done at Wrexham has been "elite".

The 58-year-old has overseen three promotions during his time at Stok Cae Ras and recently chalked up 200 league matches in charge of the north Wales side.

Wrexham won 119 of those matches under Parkinson at a win rate of almost 60%, and Vokes lauded the job the manager has done since becoming boss in the summer of 2021.

"He's a proper manager. The job he's done there has been elite," Vokes told the Feast of Football podcast.

"He's always had the pressure on him as well, because that expectation has just been there for Wrexham over the last few years.

"Three promotions on the bounce, to get that club to where they are right now, on the brink of the play-offs in the Championship is a fantastic job.

"They've got a lot of backing behind them, we've seen that financially, but you still need the manager in there to deliver that because that expectation is not easy.

"For that size of club to still be well and truly up there and, overachieving I'd say, from where they've been in the last few years, it's a great job he's been doing."

Having drawn 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers last weekend, Wrexham go into Saturday's Championship contest with Preston North End (15:00 GMT) in 10th place, just three points adrift of the play-off places.

They are also unbeaten in their past eight league games, with ex-Wales frontman Iwan Roberts admitting he would loved to have played under Parkinson - who attempted to sign Roberts at Colchester United - during his career.

"What I like about him, he hasn't changed. He knows what he's good at, he's a really good motivator and man manager," said Roberts.

"He's got a good team around him and they've been together forever. That's so important, to get good people around you that you trust.

"I'd love to play for a Phil Parkinson team. He deserves all of the credit he's getting."

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Max Cleworth feels Wrexham have quality "all over the pitch" as they bid to continue their impressive run when they return to action against Preston North End on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Defender Cleworth, 23, notched up his first goal of the season in the final seconds to earn Phil Parkinson's men a point against Blackburn Rovers at the Stok Cae Ras last time out.

The draw means Wrexham head to Deepdale this weekend having not lost any of their past eight league games, and Cleworth believes his side are continuing to improve following a hefty squad overhaul in the summer.

"As a team, it probably took a little bit of time to gel and that happens with the amount of changes were made in the summer and you lose players and new lads come in," he said.

"It's hard to gel straight away but I think we're certainly doing that now. We've tightened things up and we're really dangerous going forward.

"No matter who plays, lads who come off the bench, we've got quality all over the pitch so we're always a threat to teams and it's important that we've managed to get on a decent run. Hopefully we can continue it."

The Red Dragons beat Preston at Deepdale in the second round of the EFL Cup earlier this season.

While they are winless in their past three league games, Paul Heckingbottom's Lilywhites side sit fifth in the Championship table, four points and five places above Wrexham.

"I think it's another tough game, as they all are in the Championship," added Cleworth.

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Phil Parkinson joined an illustrious list on Saturday as he oversaw his 200th league game in charge of Wrexham.

The 58-year-old became just the sixth Wrexham boss to reach the milestone - joining Ernie Blackburn, John Neal, Dixie McNeil, Brian Flynn and Denis Smith in doing so.

With three promotions to his name in north Wales already, the numbers will inevitably make for pretty reading as far as the manager's record is concerned.

He has overseen 119 victories, giving him a win rate of 59.5% in league matches since taking over at the Stok Cae Ras in the summer of 2021.

Under Parkinson, Wrexham have claimed 405 points from the 600 on offer, meaning the Red Dragons average 2.025 points per game in the league.

Last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers ensured Wrexham extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches - with Parkinson's side now 10th in the table and just three points adrift of the play-off places.

Given the remarkable journey Wrexham have been on under Parkinson and the ownership of Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, few would bet against the club enjoying even more success as their manager looks forward to whatever other landmarks may lie ahead.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Wrexham have found their feet in the Championship, and have not lost a league game in eight.

The unbeaten run has seen Phil Parkinson's side climb up to ninth in the league, three points outside the play-off places.

Ahead of their next fixture against Preston North End, who currently sit fifth in the play-offs, we asked you whether a top six finish was possible for Wrexham this season.

Here is what you had to say.

Gareth: Hopefully that momentum continues, and if we're still in a strong position come January, we can make a real push for the play-offs. Back-to-back-to-back-to-back?

Mike: It's great to see optimism around the place in such a tough league but our strike force options scream mid-table for now and that's more than good enough this season.

Walt: It looks like every team are taking points of each other, which is helping us stay close to the play offs. I would like to see us take more of our chances when they come around, but it's very possible that we will finish in the top six.

Andy: Do I think they will make the play-offs? Who knows, but I definitely would never count them out. The signings over the summer have gelled and turned into a serious force. If we can make the play-offs, discount them at your peril!

Bob: At the beginning of the season I would have said that with Phil Parkinson in charge the answer was no! However the impossible could come true. If Parkinson and his team continue to play solid football the chance is there.

Catherine: I believe we will reach the play-offs and to be fair my heart says we will get to the Premier League - but my head tells me it's too early.

Gareth: Yes, they could very much make the play-offs but it wouldn't be the end of the world if they didn't.

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Phil Parkinson hopes Wrexham can continue to be challenging for a top six spot heading into 2026.

The Red Dragons are just three points adrift of the Championship's play-off places having gone into December unbeaten in eight league matches.

They face Preston North End twice in addition to coming up against Hull City, Watford, Swansea City and Sheffield United in their final six fixtures of what has been another remarkable year for the north Wales side.

And boss Parkinson feels the coaching staff are continuing to see "good signs" from what is a new-look side on the back of making 13 signings during the summer transfer window.

"It's great to be up and around it. Can we keep chipping away? Can we get into January in a challenging position?" said the Wrexham manager.

"We're just going to keep working hard as a group and we'll see where that takes us.

"This season has been enjoyable so far because you're watching a group of players build together, get to know each other on and off the pitch and that's all a process and we're well into that now and we've seen some good signs."

Wrexham - currently ninth in the table - return to action against Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday (15:00 GMT).