Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson drops a positive update on Matty James and Liberato Cacace after the duo suffered injuries against Millwall last weekend.
Unlike most other Championship sides, Wrexham head for an FA Cup tie this weekend instead of a league matchday. However, the Reds go into the next Ipswich knockout carrying the bruises of their Championship campaign.
While a clash with Millwall was speculated to be physical, Wrexham returned with multiple injuries reported for its star players.
With 3 games awaiting Wrexham within the next 10 days, the Reds were expected to endure the challenging phase with their weakest squad depth. However, boss Phil Parkinson has come to Wrexham’s relief as the gaffer announces positive updates on the injury-ridden stars.
Wrexham faced double injury setback Vs Millwall
The recent 0-2 loss to Millwall affected Wrexham’s promotion hopes in multiple ways. While it had a direct impact with a defeat in a 6-pointer battle, it worsened the club’s morale with multiple injuries.
Notably, Wreham entered the Millwall game with new signing Zak Vyner injured. However, the matchday aggravated the Reds’ woes by further injury blows to key starters in midfielder Matty James and left wing-back Liberato Cacace.
A little ahead of the half-hour mark, Matty James had to be forced off after taking a hard knock to his foot. While the final 10 minutes of the first half came with a crushing blow to Wrexham, the second half started the same way.
Just minutes into the next 45 minutes, Cacace was subbed off after the wing-back felt pain around the knee. Already troubled by Vyner’s injury, the final whistle took Wrexham’s injury tally to four, with James and Cacace’s blows apart from Broadhead’s injury during the game preparation.
Phil Parkinson deliveres good news for injured duo
With each of these four injuries coming in different departments for Wrexham, all of them were important. However, with Phil Parkinson’s optimistic update on Broadhead’s return, the real concern lingered on Matty James and Cacace’s recovery.
To the fans’ relief, the much-awaited positive updates on the duo’s health have finally arrived. While James’ toe injury is far less concerning than expected, the manager also updated on Cacace’s mild hamstring strain.
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As quoted by the BBC, Parkinson talked of Matty James, saying: “Matty has got a small fracture in his toe so we’ve now got to get the swelling down on that and then just see how he can manage with the pain.”
Continuing the stream of brilliant news, Parky mentioned Cacace’s issue, quoting: “Libby has had a scan and there’s a very low-grade hamstring problem, nothing too serious, but obviously we’ve got to make sure we get it right.”
Parky’s claim doesn’t end the prevailing FA Cup risk
Undeniably, the detailed assessments of James and Cacace’s situation appease Wrexham fans. From their recovery timelines shortened from weeks to some days, it’s the best that could’ve happened for the Reds.
However, this update doesn’t erase the fear of Matty James and Cacace’s absence in the FA Cup 4th round tie against Ipswich. Phil Parkinson’s words suggest that Wrexham may be forced to line up without the duo for the next game despite injury boosts expected for the Bristol matchday.
As a mandatory action, this demands Parky to tweak his lineup again with at least two changes. While George Thomason can be seen on the wing duties, Parkinson might need to turn to George Dobson for the midfield.
Having seen a secondary role lately, it remains to be seen if Thomason & Dobson will repeat their Nottingham Forest FA Cup mavericks. Still, the injury absence for the Cup game will be far more welcomed by Wrexham instead of risking their promotion hopes in the Championship games next.
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