Jay Rodriguez returns to Wrexham. Credit: Wrexham AFC
Jay Rodriguez is 36 years old and has not played a competitive fixture since April. Those facts will dominate the conversation about his return to Wrexham’s 25-man Championship squad. They miss the point entirely. His age means nothing compared to what he brings: three Championship clubs already on his CV, an England cap earned when it still meant something, and the kind of experience that cannot be bought in January.
Wrexham added Rodriguez to their squad with immediate effect after Elliot Lee required knee surgery. The move was made possible under EFL Regulation 44.9, which allows clubs to replace injured players in their registered ranks.
Rodriguez was left out of Phil Parkinson’s initial squad after picking up an injury during pre-season. Eight months later, Lee’s misfortune has handed him an opportunity.
The timing could not be better for a club sitting 15th in the Championship and seven points off the playoff places. January reinforcements are being discussed, but Rodriguez represents an internal solution.
Championship experience with Burnley, Barnsley and West Brom cannot be taught
Rodriguez has played in this division before with three different clubs. He knows what the Championship demands because he has survived it multiple times. That knowledge matters when results are tight and margins are small.
His solitary England cap was earned in 2013. It establishes a quality threshold that most strikers at this level never reach. One cap is still one more than almost everyone else in Wrexham’s squad.
In a statement on the club website, Wrexham said:
Wrexham AFC can confirm that, under the EFL’s Regulation 44.9 relating to our 25-man squad list, we have made the following change, effective immediately.With Elliot Lee currently recovering from injury, he has been removed from the squad and Jay Rodriguez added.
Rodriguez, who has now returned to training after recovering from his own injury, is available for selection from our Boxing Day fixture against Sheffield United.
Last season, Rodriguez scored two goals in 17 appearances after signing an 18-month contract in January. His contribution helped secure automatic promotion from League One.
Parkinson preparing Rodriguez for Boxing Day return against Sheffield United
Rodriguez could make his first competitive appearance since April when Wrexham host Sheffield United on Boxing Day. Parkinson is arranging a friendly before Christmas to ensure returning players are match-ready.
We’re looking to try and arrange a game just before Christmas for the likes of Danny, Andy and Jay. That’s going to be important because as much as I’m saying those guys come back into the reckoning, they will only be able to do so if they’ve had the right training and the right exposure to 11 v 11 prior to that.
Andy Cannon and Danny Ward are also closing in on returns from long-term injuries. Cannon suffered a ruptured ACL in February, while Ward dislocated his elbow in August. Both will become eligible for squad selection from January 1.
Parkinson added that Rodriguez, Cannon and Ollie Rathbone are all chomping at the bit to force their way back into contention. Competition for places will increase as injured players return to fitness.
Rodriguez may be 36, but his Championship CV speaks louder than any concerns about age. Wrexham need experience, and they already have it on the books. January spending can wait.
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