Wrexham has been handed a double midfield boost thanks to Andy Cannon and Lewis O’Brien returning to match fitness ahead of Blackburn Rovers clash.
The new year kicks off within the next few hours, and Wrexham fans have their wishes lined up for an exciting 2026. Agreed, it may differ a bit, but all their lists likely contain: A PL promotion, a New Year win to start things & more of Troy Deeney’s timed words.
Obviously, no surprises at the first two choices, but the real strategic fun lies behind the third one.
If one notices, Deeney’s comment before the Preston game brought out the best from Wrexham stars. So precisely that Matty James was among the club’s best performers in a 2-1 win.
Counter-responding to Deeney’s ‘energy-lacking midfield’ claim, Matty James channelled his inner Paul Scholes as he shone in the central role, both offensively & defensively. Be it shutting down PNE’s build-up play or providing momentum to Wrexham’s chance creation, the 34-year-old was a pillar in the Dragons’ win.
Definitely, no one’s displacing Matty after such a display when Wrexham stood battling a thin squad depth. But, take a “sorry but no sorry” from Wrexham as this may change going forward.
Wrexham receive double midfield boost ahead of Blackburn
No, Matty’s return to the bench won’t originate from any critical claims or performance issues, but Wrexham feels back the good-old selection headache again. And all for Lewis O’Brien and Andy Cannon’s return after being out for quite some time.
Ahead of the evening at Blackburn, Wrexham confirmed via X, saying: “Fit-again Andy Cannon and Lewis O’Brien are in the travelling party for tomorrow’s match against Blackburn Rovers.”
Expectedly, even those with a goldfish’s memory would remember O’Brien for how crucial he has been until he succumbed to an injury against his former side, Swansea. But for those who no longer identify Cannon, maybe replaying the Lion King’s infamous “Female lion on a motorbike” admission ought to help.
Well, jokes apart, Wrexham finally welcomes its long-range master, the Lion, Andy Cannon himself, after a 10-month wait on the sidelines. Whether he gets some minutes fresh from a return remains unknown, but the back-to-back promotion winner’s re-entry nearly brings Wrexham to full strength again.
Agreed, the Dragons can’t be called complete without Captain McClean. Still, Wrexham is intended to get the job done against an injury-stricken Blackburn, while McClean finishes his 3-game suspension.
What will be Wrexham’s midfield in 2026?
Andy Cannon & Lewis O’Brien’s injury returns are bound to be the biggest New Year’s presents for Wrexham fans. But though a source of joy for the Dragons’ supporters, it poses a major selection dilemma for Parky again.
That’s because, despite McClean being out temporarily, Wrexham possesses as many as 8 options to slot in their 4 midfield roles. Not to forget that’s still counting out the homegrown prodigy in Ashfield, who could be an exciting option too.
Well, the bigger headache for Parkinson lies beyond these surface numbers. Having just managed the side to their best winning streak this season, the duo of Matty James, Ben Sheaf, with Ryan Longman & Thomason on wings, are clicking perfectly now.
Yet, that doesn’t leave a starting spot for players like Ollie Rathbone & Dobson, who are knocking on the playing XI doors with their super-sub performances.
To imagine what Cannon & O’Brien’s return does in such a stacked roster is increase the selection problems even more for Phil Parkinson. Just imagine, at their peak availability, the Dragons can form 2 separate lineups with almost identical midfield quality.
Well, talking of today’s Blackburn game, definitely a few new starters can be expected. Maybe Rathbone gets a start today, with Parky managing Matty James’ minutes.
For now, still in their early return phase, it’d be surprising if O’Brien & Cannon get some game time. But you never know with Parky, who just turned a central midfielder into a Ballon d’Or-worthy left-back.
