Wrexham take on Championship rivals Preston North End in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
Wrexham take a needed break from Championship duties on Tuesday night to play rivals Preston North End in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
In the opening round, Wrexham came from behind to beat Hull City on penalties, inspired by some late heroics from Ollie Palmer.
And whether or not the striker features on Tuesday night will be a hot topic among Dragons fans on social media, with Phil Parkinson expected to make several changes to his side. Last time out, Wrexham picked up another disappointing result in the Championship.
It was in what was their third game of the season. Wrexham drew 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday and Parkinson was left disappointed after his side took the lead into half-time, owing to a Kieffer Moore brace in the first half.
As things stand, Wrexham sit in 19th place at the Championship table, having taken just one point from that opening three games.
Callum Doyle warms up before England v Austria in the U21 International Friendly clash.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Phil Parkinson drops Callum Doyle hint at Wrexham
Ahead of the game against Wednesday, Callum Doyle moved to the Racecourse. Wrexham have completed a deal to sign Doyle from Manchester City in what has cost owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac another £8m, but the young defender sat on the bench against Wednesday, watching on as his side picked up the disappointing 2-2 draw.
Parkinson didn’t bring the 21-year-old in the game, but many will expect him to feature on Tuesday night and make his debut for the club. Speaking to Leader Live, Parkinson has suggested that he will freshen up the team, potentially handing a debut to Doyle.
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Parkinson said: “I think you saw a lot of tired legs out on the pitch and sometimes the best way to progress in these competitions is to freshen the team up, especially early in the season. We’ll have a look at big Callum and make a decision on him.”
Phil Parkinson, Manager of Wrexham, looks on
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This is bad news for one Wrexham player
At £8m, and as an experienced Championship player, expect Doyle to walk into the Wrexham XI sooner rather than later. And so someone will have to make way for the former Manchester City youth player, and it’s expected to be Lewis Brunt.
Recent reports have revealed how Doyle is expected to replace Brunt in the Wrexham defence, pairing Conor Coady and Max Cleworth in a back-three. For Brunt, the game against Preston might be the first of several that he sits out, with Doyle now expected to slot into the defence and keep his position in the long run.
But that said, Brunt may keep his place if Doyle isn’t ready to feature against Preston, and if he impresses then it could keep Doyle on the bench for longer than expected.
Either way, this cup game is bound to see changes and it’s bound to give chances to players who may not otherwise get them in the Championship.
And with Wrexham struggling for form in the league, it’s a perfect opportunity for such players to impress and stake a claim to play in the next championship game against Millwall this weekend.