Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson updates on Matty James’ recovery status, as the midfielder could well return after the March International break.
Wrexham kick off matchday 38 of the Championship as they host Swansea in the highly anticipated Welsh derby. But despite the home advantage and co-owners Rob & Ryan’s commentary adding to the occasion, Wrexham enter the game as underdogs.
That’s because the Reds’ squad is down to the bare bones. With Moore, Sheaf, James, Cacace, and Dobson all unavailable, Wrexham will likely field several fresh faces against Swansea.
Given Swansea’s excellent form recently, this move could backfire on Wrexham. While fans would hope otherwise, the injury crisis has undoubtedly dampened optimism among the faithful ahead of the Welsh derby.
On the positive side, this build-up to the Welsh derby comes with a massive injury update for Wrexham. Boss Phil Parkinson has set a return date for midfielder Matty James, as he is the closest to returning from injury among the sidelined players.
Recently, Phil Parkinson told the BBC: “I was waiting on the news on Matty yesterday on his toe. I hoped it would have progressed to a better stage than it has. We’ve got two games and Dobbo’s back and hopefully after the international break Matty will be back.”
Matty James to be available post International break
Notably, Wrexham’s injury crisis began with Matty James in early February. He lasted barely half an hour against Millwall before a clumsy challenge left him with a fractured toe.
Since then, his absence has been keenly felt in the middle of the park. As a former Premier League midfielder, James brings immense stability and experience to the Wrexham side.
While Matty has his own limitations, the midfielder is easily the most reliable pick for Wrexham when fit. Factor in that James’ toe fracture was followed by Ben Sheaf’s injury just a few games later, and Wrexham’s defensive midfield strength was reduced to bare bones.
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Add in George Dobson’s red-card suspension against Chelsea, and Wrexham have been forced to patch up a depleted midfield. Thankfully, it won’t be much longer before Matty James takes charge once again.
As boss Parky mentioned, Matty is expected to be back and running after the March international break. While the defensive midfielder could have recovered earlier if not for an injury setback, fans can heave a sigh of relief knowing the latest update on his recovery.
All eyes are on Matty James for a potential return against West Brom. He’ll miss the derby with Swansea, plus games against Watford and Sheffield United, but could be back in contention by early April.
Wrexham’s midfield set for a near full fitness boost next month
When the January transfer window ended, Wrexham’s only injury-prone department was at full-back. With no specialist replacements brought in for Kabore and Cacace, any possible crisis was thought to emerge from that area.
While the fitness of wing-backs has been a concern, it’s not as grave as the midfield woes. With Thomason and Longman filling in on the wings, the absence of James, Sheaf, and Dobson has gutted the club’s midfield.
At present, Wrexham has only one natural midfielder, Lewis O’Brien. While this crisis is expected to continue for some time, the silver lining is that Wrexham can be near full fitness ahead of the final phase of the season.
That’s because George Dobson’s three-game suspension has just two matches left to run. He’ll miss the Welsh derby and the trip to Watford, but will be available for the final game of March against Sheffield United.
Dobson’s return follows Matty James’ recovery. Given that the latter is expected to be back after the March international break, Wrexham will have both Dobson and Matty James available from next month.
The duo’s return significantly bolsters Wrexham’s promotion hopes as they can help recover points lost amidst a major injury crisis. Additionally, with James and Dobson returning fully fit, the duo could be in their best rhythm just before Wrexham begins their playoff journey.
In the end, the injury crisis may not have cost Wrexham as much as it first appeared. Despite the absences, they’ve been picking up points. If they can grind through a few more games, they’ll be close to full strength for the season’s decisive stretch.
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