Phil Parkinson confirms a fresh Ben Sheaf injury twist ahead of Wrexham’s upcoming Championship game against Stoke City at the Racecourse.
As the weekend approaches, Wrexham are also set to return to Championship action after almost a week. The Reds last played at Birmingham City where the hosts completely walked over Wrexham with a 2-0 thumping.
Getting into the playoffs isn’t impossible just yet, but getting dominated by every team in the second tier at the moment isn’t the way forward. Phil Parkinson was right when he recently called for Wrexham to atleast get the winning act back.
After all, it’ll be better to bow out of the top 6 by putting in a good fight than slump to tenth place and call it a disastrous league finish. That will be equally good for Wrexham’s momentum which they will carry onto the following 2026/27 campaign.
Simply put, Wrexham have every reason to play for at Stoke City. Then be it playoffs, pride or to go into the pre-season in the best shape possible. Whether Wrexham puts in an improved performance this time, only time will tell. But before that, a fresh injury twist has arrived.
Phil Parkinson confirms fresh Ben Sheaf injury twist
Wrexham’s 5-3 win over Ipswich Town was a statement of intent for the playoffs back in February. Except, that it came at the cost of Ben Sheaf’s injury which quickly weakened the midfield and threw the top 6 push out of the window.
READ MORE: Phil Parkinson finally speaks what he should have told Wrexham a month ago
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READ MORE: Wrexham planning to raid Leicester City for 30-year-old England international
Ahead of the previous Birmingham City trip, boss Phil Parkinson was optimistic about Sheaf hitting the pitch in training and soon in the Championship too. 6 days separated that Birmingham clash and the upcoming Stoke City one, which again hinted at Sheaf possibly making it to the Wrexham bench and coming on as a late substitute.
Sadly, it looks like Sheaf’s injury return has been delayed a bit further. In his own words, the Leader Live quoted a helpless Phil Parkinson suggesting: “Ben is still not with us on the training pitch. He has had some training, but he’s had a minor setback.”
Being real, that means Ben Sheaf is atleast another week or 10 days away from returning to competitive action. It’s quite possible that the 27-year-old defensive midfielder becomes available for selection for the next-to-next Oxford United visit. Or, Sheaf might complete his injury return against former club Coventry City.
Wrexham’s midfield prediction for Stoke City game
No Ben Sheaf means Wrexham can’t afford to take out George Dobson from the defensive midfield role. Lewis O’Brien helps Wrexham break the opposition midfield so he will be needed too.
READ MORE: Phil Parkinson finally speaks what he should have told Wrexham a month ago
READ MORE: Callum Doyle is in trouble after what Phil Parkinson said about Dom Hyam
READ MORE: Wrexham planning to raid Leicester City for 30-year-old England international
The actual question boils down to whether Phil Parkinson should bet on Matty James to organize the Reds build-up at Stoke City or not? Knowing it’s a must-win game, Matty James should sit this one out to better recover for the next fixtures.
Ollie Rathbone came in for Josh Windass at Birmingham City. Naturally, he is an attacking midfielder but Rathbone commits himself to pressing opponents and helping the team defensively. Dropping him to central midfield, with Dobson and O’Brien behind him in a double pivot can be a better solution.
This will also allow Josh Windass to operate in his favourite No.10 role and keep bringing in the crucial goals for Wrexham. Phil Parkinson’s men lost 1-0 to Stoke City previously. A 1-0 win this time won’t be bad if Wrexham can manage it.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- Phil Parkinson finally speaks what he should have told Wrexham a month ago
- Callum Doyle is in trouble after what Phil Parkinson said about Dom Hyam
- Wrexham planning to raid Leicester City for 30-year-old England international
- Wrexham player ratings from 2-0 Birmingham City defeat: Okonkwo and Doyle poor
- ‘Not over’ – Phil Parkinson drops unhinged playoffs comment after 2-0 Wrexham defeat
