Phil Parkinson has fresh options to consider ahead of Wrexham’s Championship trip to Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday, 10 October, with Danny Imray and Ollie Rathbone back in contention following a three-week break from league action.
The Reds return to action following a 2-1 victory over Southampton at the Cae Ras on 19 September, a result which gave Parkinson something worth holding onto. The break has offered several players time to recover, although it has also presented the Wrexham boss with some difficult decisions.
Imray and Rathbone have returned to training, increasing competition in two areas of the pitch. Neither is guaranteed an immediate starting place, particularly given the performance that secured three points against Southampton.
International returns complicate Parkinson’s plans
There is another factor to consider at Pride Park, with Issa Kaboré, Jacques Ekomié and Kieffer Moore all returning from international duty without fresh injury concerns.
Kaboré and Ekomié were back training with Wrexham earlier in the break following their involvement with Burkina Faso and Gabon respectively. Moore was afforded additional recovery time after representing Wales before rejoining the group.
That leaves Parkinson balancing continuity against freshness, particularly when all three have featured regularly this season.
Moore’s situation is especially interesting. The striker provides a physical presence and focal point in attack, but Sam Smith offers an alternative should Parkinson decide to manage the Wales international’s workload.
Imray and Rathbone increase competition for places
Imray’s return from a hamstring problem gives Parkinson another option at wing-back, where Kaboré has established himself as a regular starter.
Rathbone brings something different in midfield, with his energy, mobility and willingness to cover ground offering competition to Ben Whiteman, Ben Sheaf and the experienced Matty James.
The pair’s availability is welcome, although Wrexham are still some way from having a fully fit squad.
George Thomason, Max Cleworth, Nathan Broadhead, Libby Cacace and Seb Revan remain sidelined, leaving Parkinson without several players who would otherwise be pushing for places.
Even so, the manager has more flexibility than he did before the international break. Having genuine alternatives across the squad is no bad thing, even when it makes settling on a starting eleven more complicated.
Why Parkinson could stick with his Southampton side
There is a strong argument for keeping faith with the players who delivered against Southampton.
Anthony Patterson started behind a back three of Zak Vyner, Dominic Hyam and Callum Doyle, with Kaboré and Ekomié occupying the wing-back positions.
Whiteman and Sheaf formed the central midfield partnership, while Josh Windass and Callum O’Hare operated behind Moore.
That combination gave Wrexham the platform to secure an important victory before the Championship programme paused.
Derby enter Saturday’s contest in 22nd place with five points from eight matches, compared with Wrexham’s 10 points and 14th position.
The Rams’ difficult start offers encouragement, but Parkinson knows his side cannot afford to take anything for granted away from home.
Changing a winning team carries its own risks, particularly when several players have spent time away on international duty.
For that reason, the same starting eleven that faced Southampton looks a reasonable choice, leaving Imray, Rathbone and other alternatives available from the bench.
Predicted Wrexham XI (3-4-2-1):
Goal: Patterson
Defence: Vyner, Hyam, Doyle;
Midfield: Kaboré, Whiteman, Sheaf, Ekomié;
Forwards: Windass, O’Hare;
Striker: Moore.
Parkinson has some welcome decisions to make, but carrying the momentum from Southampton into another demanding Championship fixture matters more than making changes simply because players are available.
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