Wrexham

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Wrexham round off what has been a hectic schedule when they host Charlton Athletic at the Stok Cae Ras on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The fixture brings back fond memories for the Red Dragons - who beat Nathan Jones' side 3-0 in April to clinch promotion from League One.

Ahead of the Championship meeting between the sides this weekend, Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson said his side's challenge is to replicate their showing from what was a "magical day" earlier this year.

"It's one of the best days of my managerial, playing career, even life," said Parkinson.

"The documentation of that day, the result going for us at midday (Wycombe Wanderers' 1-0 loss to Leyton Orient). The atmosphere in the ground, the celebrations.

"It was just an incredible day. Like I always say to the players and supporters, managers never experience a day like that. That was a magical day which we'll never forget.

"Now our job is to go and reproduce that level of performance to try and get the points at the weekend."

Parkinson was in attendance at The Valley as Charlton secured a last-gasp 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night.

And the Wrexham manager felt the performance of the Addicks was similar to the one Portsmouth produced against the Red Dragons on Wednesday.

"I watched them, it was a similar game to tonight. Charlton hung in there and got their moment, the keeper's made a mistake for West Brom," added Parkinson.

"I can't wait for the weekend, the last game before the international break and the last game of this recent run.

"We need a huge effort from everybody to come through in good spirits."

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Phil Parkinson feels Arthur Okonkwo is improving on a weekly basis after he kept a clean sheet to earn Wrexham a point at Portsmouth.

The goalkeeper has been a mainstay in the Championship for the Red Dragons since summer signing Danny Ward suffered an elbow injury in late August.

And he produced impressive saves to deny the likes of Josh Murphy and Ibane Bowat at Fratton Park as the contest ended goalless, with Wrexham registering a third league clean sheet of the season.

"I'm so pleased for the big fella (Okonkwo) tonight, he's getting better and better each week," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"He's been on this journey through the divisions with us and he's adapting all the time.

"That was a really good performance from him tonight. He can be very pleased with his clean sheet."

John Mousinho's Portsmouth side had more than double the number of efforts on and off target than Wrexham managed, although arguably the game's best chance fell to Lewis O'Brien in the second half.

The Wrexham midfielder was played through on goal by Liberato Cacace but was unable to beat the onrushing Josef Bursik.

And while pleased with the battling qualities on show against Pompey, Parkinson says Wrexham could well have left Fratton Park with all three points.

"We've spoken about it a lot. It's a great chance," added the Wrexham boss.

"It was one of few moments in the second half where we linked the game and cut them open.

"It was a great moment for us. If he (O'Brien) looks back, he probably didn't need the touch, he probably could have bent it in first time.

"The keeper came out and did well to be fair to him but in those moments, you need them to go in to win games."

Portsmouth will look to end a tricky spell with a victory over Wrexham when the Welsh side make the trip to Fratton Park on Wednesday night (20:00 GMT).

Pompey are without a win in four league games, losing their past three successively.

However, Wrexham have begun to build momentum. Undefeated across their past three (W2 D1) to see them start to make an ascent up the table.

• This will be the first meeting between Portsmouth and Wrexham in any competition since 1986, when Pompey beat the Welsh side 4-1 on aggregate in the second round of the League Cup (2-1 away, 2-0 home).

• Wrexham won 1-0 on both of their first two trips to face Portsmouth in the Football League in 1977 and 1978, but did lose 3-0 on their most recent in September 1982 when led by Bobby Roberts.

• Portsmouth have lost their last two home league games, last losing three on the bounce at Fratton Park in March 2018 under Kenny Jackett.

• Wrexham are winless in their last three away league games (D2 L1), but the Dragons haven't gone four without victory on the road since they were promoted back to the Football League in 2023.

• Wrexham's Josh Windass has been directly involved in five goals in seven Football League appearances against Portsmouth, scoring once for Accrington Stanley and grabbing two goals and two assists for Sheffield Wednesday.

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Dan Scarr believes Wrexham have a "good chance" of reaching the Championship play-offs this season as they look to extend their three-game unbeaten league run at Portsmouth tonight (20:00 GMT).

The Red Dragons have taken seven points from a possible nine since losing 1-0 at Stoke City, a run that has seen them move within striking distance of the second tier's top six.

And defender Scarr believes his side's performances against high-flyers Middlesbrough and Coventry City prove Wrexham can compete with the best in the division.

When asked if the squad believe they can challenge for a play-off berth, Scarr said: "One hundred percent. We've faced the top two sides in the league and we've had positive performances from them - I don't think we've got anything to fear.

"I think if we can try and stay solid, it'll give us a foundation to build from and if we start being even more clinical than we were on Friday night (against Coventry), I think we can have a good chance."

The defender added: "When you come into the league, there's a lot of good teams and good players so you always have to give the opposition a level of respect.

"But sometimes the game suits getting after the team we've played. The Friday night one, and probably Middlesbrough as well, suited that - that's what we needed to do."

Scarr has had to be patient for game time this season, with the 30-year-old's start against Coventry being his first in the league this term.

But the centre-back admits the increased competition for places has helped to lift the levels at the club.

"We've signed some really good players all over the pitch, they've all been good additions," he added.

"Defensive-wise, we've got a lot of good, solid defenders which is good competition.

"It can be frustrating at times on a personal note for everyone who's not involved because everyone wants to play every game.

"But I think you need that level of competition, that's what makes you train hard, stay hungry and ready for when you're called on."

Kieffer Moore's perfect hat-trick helped Wrexham inflict Coventry's first loss of the season on Friday night.

It was a memorable night under the lights for Phil Parkinson's side, which co-owner Rob McElhenney saying the atmosphere "made a massive difference" to the side.

He posted on social media : "Having spoken to Phil and a lot of the players it's abundantly clear that the support they received against Coventry made a massive difference.

"It's hard to be that loud and positive, every game for 90+ min over an entire season. But I thought it worth mentioning that when the Racecourse is rocking, anything is possible.

"This is your team. We're all invited and honored to be a part of it. Support them in whatever way brings you joy but know that for sure, you are making a difference in their success."

What do you make of Rob Mac's post? Do you think anything needs changing to the home atmosphere?

Have your say here

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Elliot Lee will be sidelined for 12 weeks having undergone knee surgery as Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson hopes to have Danny Ward available by Christmas.

Midfielder Lee has not played a single minute in the Championship this season, with his only minutes coming in the EFL Cup.

The 30-year-old - who played a pivotal role in each of Wrexham's three successive promotions under Parkinson - will now be sidelined until 2026 after a specialist determined he needed an operation on his knee.

"Elliot's has had an operation on his knee. He saw a specialist last week and they decided he needed an operation. He'll be out for 12 weeks unfortunately," confirmed the Wrexham boss.

"It gives him a chance to get that right. He tried to carry on with it but it got to a point where, last week, we sent him to get a second opinion and the specialist decided that, to get him right, he probably did need surgery, so he's had that."

Andy Cannon and Jay Rodriguez are also progressing well at present - with Parkinson adding that goalkeeper Ward could return from a shoulder injury in the latter stages of this year.

"Andy Cannon's making great progress. He's out on the training pitch with us, not joining in full training but it's good to see him out there," added Parkinson.

"Jay is still in the gym working hard and hopefully we can get him back out on the grass.

"Wardy, having an injury like that, the healing process takes the time expected, there's no way you can shave time off that.

"But Wardy's a great lad to have around. Even when he's not involved, he's always offering words of encouragement and he'll be back hopefully by Christmas time."

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Parkinson will welcome Callum Doyle back to his Wrexham squad for Wednesday night's contest with Portsmouth (20:00 GMT).

The centre-back has missed his side's last three games after being sent off during Wrexham's 1-0 victory over Oxford United at the Stok Cae Ras on 22 October.

"Callum's had a good 10 days of training. When you get suspended, all you can do is utilise that period. He's worked very hard," said Parkinson.

The manager also confirmed Ryan Barnett is available to feature against John Mousinho's side having been left out of the matchday squad for the 3-2 win against league leaders Coventry City on Friday night.

"We had a good chat with Barney this week because he was disappointed with how he played against Cardiff," said Parkinson.

"We want to get that positivity back with Barney because he's a very dangerous attacking player. He's had a bit of time to reflect.

"It was the first time he's not been involved in a squad, but I want him to use that as a motivator.

"His game is about getting the opposition players on the back foot with his pace and trickery. He's been an important player for us in the past and he'll continue to be so."

Unbeaten leaders Coventry go in search of a club record seventh straight win as they kick-off the Championship weekend with a Friday night trip to Wrexham (20:00 GMT).

The Sky Blues are three points ahead of second-placed Middlesbrough and with a goal difference of +25 after 12 games - more than double any other side in the division.

The Red Dragons drew 1-1 at Boro last Saturday to make it four points from their past two games and climb to 16th, five points clear of the drop-zone, though they did go down 2-1 at home to Cardiff in the EFL Cup fourth round on Tuesday night.

• This will be the first league meeting between Wrexham and Coventry City since February 1964, a third tier match which ended 1-1 between the two sides.

• Coventry City have won five of their eight league games against Wrexham in club history (D1 L2), scoring 3+ goals in four of those five victories.

• Wrexham have won just one of their six home league games so far this season (D3 L2), though that sole victory did come last time out at the Stok Cae Ras, beating Oxford United 1-0.

• Coventry remain unbeaten after 12 matches in the Championship this season (W8 D4), only the second time that they've reached this stage of a campaign without defeat after 1937-38 (first 15).

• Brandon Thomas-Asante is the Championship's top scorer so far this season with nine goals, one ahead of teammate Haji Wright; the last Coventry player to reach double figures for league goals prior to matchday 15 was Callum Wilson in the 2013-14 League One campaign who did so after 11 games.

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Dom Hyam opened up on the talk that boss Phil Parkinson gave to the Wrexham players in the aftermath of last weekend's 1-1 draw with promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.

Hayden Hackney's late header cancelled out Josh Windass' first-half opener as the points were shared at the Riverside Stadium.

And defender Hyam revealed Parkinson was determined to emphasise the remarkable nature of the journey the club has been on over recent years in the aftermath of the draw with Boro.

"He (Parkinson) was straight in the dressing room after," Hyam told BBC Sport Wales.

"We were disappointed to drop points and he just said it shows how far the club has come, that we've come away disappointed from the Riverside having only got a draw.

"We're an ambitious group and we want to win and get points from every game, but we know the games are hard so we'll take a point from there and move on."

Hyam will line up against his former employers Coventry City tonight as Wrexham look to cause a shock by ending the Sky Blues' unbeaten start to the Championship season.

And the 29-year-old feels Wrexham can take confidence from their draw with Middlesbrough for the visit of the league leaders.

"They're (Coventry) high-flying and playing with a lot of confidence," added Hyam.

"It's our job to make it difficult for them to come here and play their stuff.

"We go into it with confidence on the back of the Middlesbrough result and performance - we're confident going into the game with our league form that we can get something out of it."

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Ben Sheaf will be assessed before Wrexham's Championship fixture with the his former club Coventry City at the Stok Cae Ras on Friday (20:00 BST).

The 27-year-old midfielder has not featured for the Red Dragons since the 1-0 loss to Stoke City on 18 October due to a groin issue.

"Ben's getting there. We didn't play him on Tuesday [against Cardiff City] because he needed to train," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"We'll just assess him closer to kick-off, but we've got good options in the midfield area."

Ollie Rathbone made his long-awaited return to action against Cardiff in the fourth round of the EFL Cup in midweek after three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

"With Ollie, we made the changes at half-time, but he was always going to come off, maximum 60 minutes anyway. It was almost like a pre-season game for him, we've got to get him some minutes," explained Parkinson.

"He's trained really well to be fair to him, he's looked good. But it's hard to replicate the intensity of first-team football."

Having confirmed this week that defender Lewis Brunt has undergone surgery, Parkinson has been dealt another blow after it was confirmed midfielder Elliot Lee is likely to need a knee operation.

Discussing his side's long-term absentees, Parkinson said: "Andy [Cannon] is out on the training pitch every day working really hard.

"Jay [Rodriguez] is still in the gym frustrated to get back out working.

"Brunty had an operation this week, Elliot Lee is looking like he's going to have an operation on his knee as well.

"I'm not sure on the timescale of that one, it's a problem that's been troubling him for a while. It's been part and parcel, particularly for Jay and Andy, who have spent the whole season in rehab. But they'll appreciate it more when they're back."

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The Stok Cae Ras will host Wales Under-19s next month as part of the build-up to next summer's 2026 Uefa Men's U19s European Championship which will be held in north Wales.

November's mini-tournament will see Craig Knight's Wales side face Germany, USA and Japan.

Matches will be played at several venues across the north, including Denbigh Town's Central Park and the Hops and Barley Community Stadium in Rhyl.

Wrexham will host Wales' game against the USA on Saturday, 15 November.

The Stok Cae Ras – the world's oldest international football stadium still hosting international matches – will be among the north Wales venues for next summer's European Championship finals.