Wrexham

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Wrexham defender Liberato Cacace has withdrawn from the New Zealand squad for the two upcoming friendlies against Australia.

The All Whites will take on the Socceroos in Canberra on 5 September and again in Auckland on 9 September, but Cacace will not feature in either games as he is "managing his return to play following injury", according to the Welsh club.

The 24-year-old left back has won 33 caps for his country, and joined Wrexham from Italian side Emopli in the summer for on a three-year-deal.

He made his debut against Southampton on the opening day of the Championship season in which he suffered a hamstring injury.

He subsequently missed four games, before returning for the 2-0 win against Millwall on Saturday where he played 77 minutes.

Wrexham's next game is against QPR in the Championship on 13 September.

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Left-back Liberato Cacace says it was important Wrexham secured their first Championship win of the seasonprior to the international break.

Wrexham won 2-0 at Millwall on Saturday courtesy of second half goals from Kieffer Moore and Lewis O'Brien.

"To gather momentum and have great spirits heading into the two weeks, we can now concentrate on the principles we want to do and hopefully build on this one," Cacace said.

"From the outside I saw what momentum can do for this club and hopefully the boys that were part of that the previous seasons can use their experience for us to keep going in this league.

"The sky's the limit for us but we've got to make sure that first and foremost we give everything that we can for the club – that's all we can ask for and then the rest will come."

New Zealand international Cacace joined Wrexham in the summer from Empoli on a three-year deal.

He made his debut on the opening day of the season at Southampton in which he suffered a hamstring injury but returned for the game at Millwall.

"To get through that injury free was important to me," Cacace added.

""Hopefully I can keep helping the team climb up that ladder.

"I'm enjoying every day, even when I was injured, it was great to connect with some of the boys and some of the staff as well.

"I'm enjoying every moment so far."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has not ruled out further arrivals at the Stok Cae Ras before the transfer window closes.

Parkinson has signed 10 players during the summer transfer window and is hopeful of a few more additions, although is "relaxed" if they don't.

"We'd like to be active if we can - we're working on a couple of things," Parkinson said after Wrexham's 2-0 win at Millwall on Saturday.

"If that happens, great. But like I said, in a couple of weeks' time, we're going to have some very good players back in contention.

"There's a few gaps and a few lads who we've got offers for on loan to go. If they go, we need to replace them.

"So we're looking at that and we'll just make the decisions.

"Obviously, at this stage, there's offers very close to being accepted by other clubs because you can't just be starting in these two days with players we've been working on for a while.

"So we'd like to do some business, but relaxed if we don't."

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Wrexham won their first game in the second tier since the 1981-82 season, as they beat Millwall 2-0 at The New Den.

Kieffer Moore's header and Lewis O'Brien's stoppage-time goal gave Wrexham their first Championship win of the season, as the climbed to 15th in the table.

Wrexham had lost to Southampton and West Brom before being held to a 2-2 draw by Sheffield Wednesday in the previous three league games.

Now they have got their first league win of the season under their belts, how impressed have you been by the start to the season?

And where do Wrexham need to improve most moving forward?

Have your say here!

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Wrexham's 2-0 win at Millwall showed that they "belong" in the Championship, believes manager Phil Parkinson.

Parkinson's side secured their first win in the Championship thanks to goals from Kieffer Moore and Lewis O'Brien.

Wrexham had lost to Southampton and West Brom before being held to a 2-2 draw by Sheffield Wednesday

"We're growing as a team - we belong at this level," Parkinson said.

"We've got players who played here many times before and we've got players who are stepping up to this level.

"But they're all believing together as a group and I think it showed today."

Parkinson also pointed to Tuesday's EFL Cup victory against Prreston as "a good victory for us as well".

"The football we've played in these first three or four games, some of the attacking players have been really good," the Wrexham boss added.

"We've scored goals... but today [at Millwall] we added a real gritty, determined edge to our play.

"So that helps you kind of make sure that when the teams have those periods, you come through without conceding a goal.

"And that's what we did today."

Alex Neil's Millwall will be looking to make it three wins in four Championship matches as they host Wrexham on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Phil Parkinson's Red Dragons are still searching for their first win after returning to the second tier of English football after they let a two goal lead slip to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

• This will be the first league meeting between Millwall and Wrexham since April 2001 in the third tier; the Lions are unbeaten across their past six against the Red Dragons (W2 D4).

• Wrexham have lost two of their past three away league games against Millwall (D1), as many defeats as across their prior 10 visits combined (W4 D4).

• None of Millwall's past 16 league games have ended level (W10 L6), their longest streak without a draw since between February and May 2009 (17 in a row).

• Through the opening three matchdays of the 2025-26 Championship season, no side has faced more shots than Wrexham (65) – 15 more than any other side in the competition.

• Since returning to the EFL in 2023-24, Wrexham are unbeaten across their four away league games against sides from London (W1 D3), though in the second tier they've failed to win on any of their past seven visits to the capital (D2 L5).

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Boss Phil Parkinson hopes Wrexham can draw a Premier League club at the Stok Cae Ras in the third round of the EFL Cup after overcoming Preston North End in round two.

Ryan Hardie's sublime strike cancelled out Lewis Dobbin's early opener at Deepdale, although the Lilywhites regained the lead through Liam Lindsay's header from a set piece.

Harry Ashfield equalised prior to the hour mark in Lancashire before substitute Kieffer Moore won it for the visitors in the second minute of added time with what was his third goal in two games.

Parkinson is now targeting a scalp against a top-flight side next time out - where Wrexham will be competing in the third round for the first time since the 1981-82 season.

"I think the time is ready for us to get a Premier League club at home," he said.

"We've had some decent cup wins and we haven't really pulled out that big team at home. I think the law of averages says this is our time."

Parkinson changed his entire starting XI following Saturday's frustrating 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday - a game in which his side led 2-0.

And the 57-year-old felt several players took their chance to impress against Paul Heckingbottom's outfit in the EFL Cup on Tuesday

"Football never changes, competition for places is key," added the Wrexham boss.

"Players when they get the chance have got to step up to the plate and let their football do the talking.

"It's a good night's work for us, a lot of lads came in, we made 11 changes.

"I think you've also got to look at the players who weren't here tonight. [Liberato] Cacace's coming back, George Thomason, Josh Windass. Nathan Broadhead wasn't even in the squad.

"So the squad is getting to where we want it to be, and a special mention to Callum Doyle as well - I thought he was terrific for us."

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Harry Ashfield hopes to play "as many games as possible" this season as he bids to impress in the EFL Cup this week.

The 19-year-old's sole appearance so far this season came in Wrexham's first round penalty shootout victory over Hull City in early August.

But - having been on the bench for his side's Championship fixture with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday - Ashfield is expected to feature in round two of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night as Phil Parkinson's side take on Preston North End at Deepdale (19:45 BST).

When asked about his aims for the season, the youngster said: "Obviously to play as many games as possible, just showcase what I can do and help the team when needed.

"He [Parkinson] just wants me to show what I can do on the pitch when he gives me the opportunity.

"Being on the bench the other day was a good moment, I just want to push on and it means everything.

"I just learn in training from the players we've brought in and then push on. Hopefully I'll play as many games as possible this year.

"It's an exciting time to be at the club."

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After three games without a win we asked where you think Wrexham will finish in the Championship table this season, and whether you had any concerns about relegation.

Here is what you had to say.

Phil: As long as we do not go down it is a positive move towards our future. I predict a mid-table finish with a healthy dose of reality to help prepare for our future.

Rob: As good as the back-to-back-to-back promotion form was and such an achievement, the Championship is a different level. The club has invested but we have to be realistic. Anything 17th and upwards is a massive achievement.

Karl: When we are back to full strength, we will be better equipped to climb the ladder, however the playoffs may be out of reach by then. A mid table finish is more likely, but football is a funny game and you never know until it's over.

Chris: It's been a difficult start to the season but the display at Southampton, patches of play against West Brom and the first half display against Sheffield Wednesday give me confidence that we have the players we need to compete in the Championship.

Jon: The results this season are more like Wrexham sides of the past and it's the first real testing time for Rob, Ryan and Phil Parkinson. The results are not concerning yet, but if points don't start to tick over we will be in a difficult position to get out of. We really need to keep our promising starts right to the end of games.

Audrey: Wrexham have to find their feet, a few games more and they will be running rings round other opponents. Finish in the top half of table this year and win it next season.