Wrexham

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Phil Parkinson feels Wrexham still have "everything to play for" despite seeing their play-off hopes take a dent with a 2-0 loss to Millwall.

The Red Dragons remain sixth in the Championship following their defeat by the Lions at Stok Cae Ras last time out.

But with a top-six place still firmly within their sights and an FA Cup fourth-round contest against Ipswich Town to come on Friday night, Parkinson says there is still plenty at stake for his side over the coming months.

"Yes, it's everything to play for," said Parkinson.

"It never feels like that when you've lost but I think when we get up tomorrow, a third of the season to go, we're in a strong position."

Wrexham's loss to Millwall saw Parkinson's men fail to score for the first time in 16 home league fixtures this season.

Despite the defeat, Dom Hyam feels Wrexham can be pleased with the "bigger picture" as they remain in the mix for the play-offs.

"It's a long old season, we're in a good position and we've done well up to this point," said the defender.

"We want to win every game, but it's not always like that. You're going to get some bad luck and some dips in performances.

"But as a group we need to stay calm, refocus and go again. That's the bigger picture. We need to see how far we've come, draw a line under it (the Millwall loss) and put in a performance next time."

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Phil Parkinson believes Wrexham were the masters of their own downfall defensively as they lost 2-0 to Championship play-off rivals Millwall.

A Max Cleworth own goal along with Josh Coburn's 85th minute strike earned the Lions victory over the Red Dragons at Stok Cae Ras.

Coburn's goal was Millwall's sole effort on target in north Wales while Sam Smith spurned a couple of efforts for the home side as Parkinson's men missed out on the chance to strengthen their place in the top six.

"We've deserved something from the game, but it's about moments. It was always going to be a tight game, two teams in the top six," said the Wrexham manager.

"There was nothing really in it, although in the first half I thought we had the better of the play.

"The goal we conceded has come from absolutely nothing. We've had two great chances and should have had a penalty when Thommo [George Thomason] has had a shot and I can't see how the referee hasn't given that.

"Then out of absolutely nothing we end up 2-0 down and the scoreline is not a fair reflection on the game."

On the goals his side conceded, Parkinson commented: "We're very frustrated because when we analyse the goals as a group, they're really nothing moments in terms of their play. We've been the masters of our own downfall for the two goals.

"But a lot the play was good. A lot of what we set out to do against their shape we did well, but it's defining moments in football matches and they didn't go our way today."

Wrexham lost midfielder Matty James and left wing-back Liberato Cacace to injury during the loss to Alex Neil's outfit.

The duo will now be assessed as Wrexham switch their focus to their FA Cup fourth round contest with Ipswich Town on Friday night (19:45 GMT).

"Matty went in for a challenge and he felt he'd broken his toe so we brought him off," said Parkinson.

"It doesn't look too good but we can just hope that it's not as bad as we fear.

"Libby, I haven't spoken to our medical team yet about that but he felt a pain behind his knee and obviously that disruption is never ideal."

Nathan Broadhead sat out the contest entirely, although Parkinson allayed fears over the Wales international's injury.

"There's a slight problem there, it was enough to keep him out today," Parkinson said of Broadhead.

"If he misses Friday (against Ipswich Town), he'll be fit I'd imagine for Tuesday at Bristol City."

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Bradford City loanee Paul Mullin says the recent lack of opportunity at parent club Wrexham has been difficult to take.

Mullin was Wrexham's leading man during the first two promotions under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, but the 31-year-old found himself on the sidelines for much of last season as they went up to the second tier.

He spent the first half of this campaign on loan at Wigan Athletic before signing for Bradford in the January transfer window.

"It's something I've found quite challenging over the last 18 months. It was sort out of the blue, after everything that I've done and then getting surgery," Mullin said.

"I'm never going to accept it, what happened, because it's something that I find quite tough, but that's football and you move on.

"I've got an opportunity now at a massive club to be successful here and write another chapter in my career.

"I just want to play games and be successful. I don't really feel like I've got anything to prove."

Mullin started up front in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at fellow League One promotion hopefuls Luton Town.

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Wrexham's Championship trip to Watford on Saturday, 7 March has been selected for live TV coverage.

As a result, the game has been brought forward to a 12:30 GMT kick-off.

The fixture will be moved again should Wrexham reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, with the Red Dragons hosting Ipswich Town in round four on Friday, 13 February.

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New Wrexham signing Zak Vyner will not be fit to make his debut against Millwall on Saturday due to a toe injury.

The 28-year-old defender sustained the injury playing for his former club Bristol City against Ipswich Town on 20 January.

He subsequently missed the games against Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County, before joining Wrexham for an undisclosed fee.

"Zak's got a slight problem with his toe which we knew about. He was back on the grass today but won't be available this weekend, and possibly next weekend against Ipswich in the FA Cup," Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said on Thursday.

"He's a good player and is very experienced in this division. He gives us great versatility - he can play anywhere across a back three, he can play in a back four.

"He's played in midfield this season and he's played as a wing-back this season. He can play a lot of positions well."

Vyner was one of three players Wrexham signed during the transfer window along with forwards Davis Keillor-Dunn and Bailey Cadamarteri.

Keillor-Dunn, 28, is expected to compete with the likes of Kieffer Moore, Sam Smith, Jay Rodriguez for a place in the starting line-up, while Cadamarteri could be forced to bide his time.

The 20-year-old has scored twice in 30 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday this season.

"He's played at this level (Championship) this season and he had some game-time on loan at Lincoln in League One last season," Parkinson added.

"When you're 20 there's development and he knows he's come here to work at his game with some really good players around him.

"But of course he's someone who's ready when called upon."

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Two of the Championship's form teams meet in a huge play-off showdown when Wrexham host Millwall on Saturday (15:01 GMT).

The Red Dragons have roared up to sixth in the table off the back of six wins in eight games since Christmas, however the four points they have dropped came at home to Norwich and Leicester in their past two games at the Stok Cae Ras.

The Lions are fifth, three points ahead of Wrexham, with an inferior goal difference, but have won just one of their past five on the road, earning five points and scoring just four goals.

• Wrexham are hosting Millwall in a league match for the first time since a 1-1 draw in April 2001, a result that secured the Lions' promotion to the second tier.

• Millwall have won just two of their past 16 league games against Wrexham (D9 L5), losing this season's reverse fixture 2-0 in August.

• Wrexham have won six of their past eight league games (D1 L1), with no Championship side picking up more wins (6) or more points (19) since Christmas than the Red Dragons.

• Millwall have lost just one of their past eight league games (W4 D3), going down 2-1 at league leaders Coventry last month.

• Wrexham have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Championship this season (20), though they also rank third for most points won from losing positions (15).

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Davis Keillor-Dunn says he has spoken with manager Phil Parkinson about the fierce competition for places in Wrexham's forward line.

Keillor-Dunn returned to the Red Dragons on transfer deadline day - after a brief stint in north Wales six years ago - signing a deal through to the end of the 2028-29 season.

He will now compete with the likes of Kieffer Moore, Sam Smith, Jay Rodriguez and fellow new arrival Bailey Cadamarteri for a spot in Parkinson's line-up.

"[Competition] is something the manager spoke to me about before I came in," the striker told BBC Sport Wales following his move from Barnsley.

"He said 'you're going to love playing with these guys, you're going to love the competition and you'll play with some quality players'.

"The squad morale is so good. I've been in the changing room today and I've already seen that.

"I can't wait to get that first Championship game under my belt and see the Racecourse booming on Saturday."

Keillor-Dunn made just six appearances in his first spell at the club in the second half of the curtailed 2019-20 season.

"I felt like there was something that was always going to bring me back," said the 28-year-old.

"My previous time here was a short stint, but I'm here for a bit longer now to make more memories. I can't wait to get going."

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Zak Vyner says he will lean on the support of former team-mate Matty James after reuniting with the midfielder at Wrexham.

Vyner joined the Red Dragons on the penultimate day of the winter transfer window - following in the footsteps of James who joined Wrexham after leaving Bristol City in 2024.

Vyner (pictured above right) and James (above left) spent three years together at Ashton Gate.

"He's a great help for me because he's such a big part of this team and a senior player," Vyner told BBC Sport Wales.

"When you go into anywhere new, it doesn't matter how old you are, the first day anywhere is always nerve-wracking.

"To see a familiar face on the first day is a real big help for me. He'll help me settle in, find a place to live, all of that stuff - the little things away from the pitch as well, that are so big. To have someone to text and pick up the phone to is massive."

Manager Phil Parkinson was quick to highlight the versatility of Vyner after making the 28-year-old his first signing of the mid-season window.

And given Wrexham's impressive season in the Championship so far, the defender says he is only too aware that he faces a difficult task when it comes to dislodging those currently starting regularly at Stok Cae Ras.

"I've never moved in January, but when players have come to where I've been in January, it's always been an interesting one because normally the team can be settled," added Vyner.

"If you go into a team that's doing well, like I have now, the team is going to be settled and going well so it's always an interesting one to see where you fit in.

"For me, my natural position is centre-half. I can play all three of them and I have done this season.

"The versatility I've got, to step in if needed into centre-midfield, and I've played right wing-back this season as well.

"I just want to do what I can to make the team better, I hope [my versatility] is going to be a strong bonus for the lads and for the gaffer to use."

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