Wrexham strengthened both flanks with Jacques Ekomie and Issa Kaboré on Thursday, and the timing of those additions looks even more important after Phil Parkinson revealed George Thomason is facing around 10 weeks out.
Thomason suffered a thigh injury late in the 1-1 draw with Watford, having started all three competitive matches this season at left wing-back. With Liberato Cacace also unavailable, Parkinson’s options in the wide defensive positions have suddenly been tested.
Thomason injury changes the picture for Wrexham
What makes the setback particularly frustrating is that the problem initially appeared less serious. Parkinson explained that Thomason felt his thigh after breaking forward and crossing, but was able to try to continue before scans revealed the extent of the injury.
“He tried to carry on, which when you do that you think, well, it’s probably not that serious, but unfortunately the scans are so in-depth now they pick up everything and unfortunately they said it’s a worse injury than we first thought.”
Parkinson expects Thomason to be absent for around 10 weeks, although the Wrexham boss pointed out that the timeframe incorporates a lengthy international break.
The loss matters because Thomason had developed into far more than emergency cover on the left. Naturally a central midfielder, he made what Parkinson described as a “great transition” to left wing-back last season and retained that role at the beginning of the new campaign.
Thomason made 39 appearances during his first Wrexham season after arriving from Bolton last summer. His adaptability had become another useful option for Parkinson, but that option has now temporarily disappeared while Cacace also remains sidelined.
Ekomie and Kaboré arrive at an important moment
That puts Wrexham’s latest transfer business into sharper focus. Ekomie and Kaboré both completed moves to the Racecourse on Thursday, strengthening Parkinson’s options on either flank.
Ekomie provides a natural left-sided solution after making 32 Ligue 1 appearances for Angers last season. The 23-year-old also arrives with 22 senior caps for Gabon, giving Wrexham another player with recent top-flight and international experience.
Kaboré, meanwhile, is already familiar with Parkinson’s system after his previous spell at Wrexham. His permanent return strengthens the opposite flank while providing additional flexibility when the squad needs it.
Parkinson has described the additions as particularly important given Wrexham’s current availability problems. With Thomason facing a significant spell on the sidelines and Cacace still unavailable, that extra depth could be needed immediately.
Neither signing removes the frustration of losing Thomason after he had started the season in the side. But his injury demonstrates exactly why depth across the wing-back positions matters, and Ekomie and Kaboré have arrived at an extremely useful moment for Parkinson.
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