Kieffer Moore’s return date set for Wrexham’s first 2026 Premier League test against Nottingham Forest in the upcoming FA Cup tie.
Recently, Wrexham fans witnessed re-turbulence in Josh Windass’ transfer case, and the least it has done is leave them utterly gobsmacked. While nobody knows his future exactly, it has heightened the anxiety about what this mysterious January holds for the fans.
That’s definitely not forgetting how it all started with Windass’ injury absence on the opening matchday in 2026.
Well, no future tellers here(including me), but a unanimous hunch is roaring that’s too loud to ignore. And rightly so, as another top-scorer accompanied Windass in missing the Blackburn game.
He’s none other than Kieffer Moore. Having pulled up a hamstring issue, Big Kieff was a major miss in the last game.
Most would say Sam Smith did an appreciable job in Moore’s absence, but there’s no denying that the Welshman is unparalleled in his role, and there’s no competing against him at Wrexham.
Even thinking about the Dragons’ attack without him haunts the Premier League ambitions, let alone seeing him switch sides this January.
Agreed, unlike Windass, Moore doesn’t attract his previous clubs, especially not Sheffield United. Still, every Championship side would want to have a striker of his stature to lead their promotion charge.
Wrexham staff drops favourable Moore update again
Enter boss Phil Parkinson & crew with their signature trick of resurrecting Wrexham fans’ hopes once again. Having steered the club’s sunken ship back to make them jump from the 15th to the 10th spot within the festive period, Parky’s assistant takes charge this time by indirectly declining Moore’s transfer possibilities.
Speaking to the media after a comfortable 2-0 Blackburn win, Steve Parkin hinted at Moore’s injury return. As quoted by the Leader Live, he said: “It’s just a quite mild hamstring injury. Sunday will probably come a little bit too soon but not much after that I don’t think.”
The update from the centre comes wrapped with good news, coupled with a bad one. While Moore’s return is considerably closer, he can practically be ready for Wrexham’s FA Cup tie at the earliest.
Notably, after a long, long time, the Dragons enjoy the Championship perk of beginning their FA Cup campaign from the 3rd round. And what better than this? As they see off their 1st Premier League tie here.
It’s Wrexham Vs Nottingham Forest, with Forest being the inaugural Top Flight side against whom the Dragons play in 2026. While the hope remains to normalise such contests this year, they at least play one more PL opponent in the Man United friendly.
Should Moore start against Nottingham Forest?
This is not even a discussion for a fit & scoring Kieffer Moore. Currently, the 33-year-old’s form is no issue, but the caution for an injury relapse might slow down Moore’s reinclusion in Parkinson’s starting XI.
Seldom should Big Kieff not start, Sam Smith is always an option. But don’t be surprised if Parky catches fans off guard with a new face in Jay Rodriguez.
Seems too random a shout for an out-of-favour striker? Well, only until one sees Rodriguez’s stats against Forest over the years.
As per Transfermarkt’s tally, Nottingham is one of Jay Rodriguez’s favourite opponents. Having farmed multiple goals in various wins against the newly established PL side, he’s probably the only one in Wrexham’s attack to have won over Forest in Cup competitions in recent years.
Traditionally, too, Cup competitions come as an opportunity for the best clubs to rotate their main stars. Even if an up-and-rising side, Wrexham can’t go too wrong if they choose to experiment with Jay upfront.
There’s still a week until the 3rd round FA Cup clash kicks off. A lot can change, with Kieffer Moore’s fully fit version being the best of what can come.
