Phil Parkinson scares fans with Ryan Hardie’s injury announcement hours before the club kicks off the Welsh derby against Swansea tonight.
Sorry, Wrexham fans, but despite it being Christmas time, it feels like someone has unplugged the twinkle lights from our Xmas trees. No, not undermining the spirits for the recent blockbuster announcement, but it’s been a season far from ideal so far.
Just compare Wrexham’s progress this time of the year with the last few seasons. Unlike riding high on the podium, the Red Dragons sit deep in the table currently, moving towards a promotion heartbreak.
The boss is the same, tactics in place, the veteran focus strategy intact, then what’s gone wrong this time? It has to be injuries, with a Big ‘I’.
Having started the season with pre-existing medical bills for Andy Cannon and Jay Rodriguez’s injuries, Wrexham’s woes have just worsened since. While recurring injuries to target man Kieffer Moore and regular absences from the wing-back department have tested boss Parkinson’s patience, a run of bad luck has piled up his problems.
Well, the final minutes against Watford turned out to be one such incident, where Ryan Hardie took a bad tumble to the ground while trying a volley. And what seemed to be an attempt missed to clinch a close win has now proved to be another injury for Wrexham.
How long will Ryan Hardie be out of action?
To cut to the chase, the answer is unknown. But from what’s known, it definitely ain’t looking great for Hardie, who might spend the next few weeks far from even the bench.
As quoted by the BBC, boss Phil Parkinson announced Hardie’s absence, saying: “Unfortunately, Ryan Hardie, on that chance he had towards the end [of the Watford game], just fell awkwardly on his knee and he’s going to face a spell out of action.”
Understandably, this update has the backup striker sidelined for some weeks, let alone missing the upcoming Swansea game. And there goes his chance to prove his mettle in a Wrexham shirt once again.
Honestly, even if not as a hardcore Hardie fan, you’ve got to feel for him. Being brought in as the inaugural summer addition, the former Plymouth Argyle hero has seen game time come scarce, and this injury endangers his future further due to his past recurring issues with the knee.
Hardie’s injury derails Wrexham’s transfer plans
Despite it being close to 6 months now, Wrexham fans have rarely been excited for Hardie except for the initial months. Analysing that way, the Scot’s absence barely affects the club’s sporting plan directly.
In fact, it wouldn’t be harsh to say that Hardie’s injury excuses Phil Parkinson from benching him tonight. What, though, remains unseen is the downside effect of this on Wrexham’s transfer plans.
As you may know, Hardie’s lack of game time made him a winter transfer priority for quite a few Championship clubs. With some serious promotion contenders in PNE and Hull named, an exit for the 28-year-old looked imminent.
But unequivocally, a knee injury with an indefinite return time, right before the January transfer window, changes everything.
Think this way, Hardie’s departure wouldn’t just empty a squad slot; it might’ve allowed the club an upgrade. Especially, given the fans’ blunt and upfront “not good enough” verdict of the forward.
However, this possibility is fast fading now. An injury report, almost a week after the Watford game, says for the club’s casual approach and given Hardie’s fate this season, his return in time for a transfer is in doubt.
Optimistically, though, a lot can change until the clock hits 7 PM GMT on 2nd February. Let’s see if and how Hardie’s exit case unfolds.
