Wrexham

Newly-promoted Wrexham will look for their first points of the Championship season when they face fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (15:00 BST).

With the Owls still in deep financial trouble, they will aim to build on what manager Henrik Pedersen described as "a good learning" during the 3-0 loss to Stoke City as they target their first points of the season.

• This will be the first league meeting between Wrexham and Sheffield Wednesday since the Yorkshire side won 4-0 at Hillsborough in the third tier in January 2005.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won each of their last three away league games against Wrexham, after failing to win on any of their first four visits to the Racecourse Ground (D2 L2).

• Wrexham will be looking to avoid losing their opening three league games of a Football League season for the first time since 1981-82.

• Sheffield Wednesday have won each of their last three away league games against newly promoted opposition, as many victories as across their prior 23 fixtures combined between April 2017 and March 2024.

• Wrexham's Kieffer Moore has won more duels than any other player in the Championship this season (25/41), but has managed to find the back of the net just once in eight prior meetings with the Owls in the Football League.

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Phil Parkinson says he is pleased with Wrexham's business so far in the summer transfer window after the club had to "fast track" their recruitment to ensure they are competitive in the Championship.

Prior to their Championship contest with Sheffield Wednesday in north Wales on Saturday (15:00 BST), defender Callum Doyle became Wrexham's 10th signing since gaining promotion from League One.

And Parkinson believes the new additions will help to improve those who have played a part in Wrexham's rise from the fifth tier National League to the second tier.

"I'm pleased with the recruitment," said Parkinson.

"It's always difficult when you're making so many changes that people come in at different stages of their pre-season.

"It's going to take a while for all of the new lads to bed in, but it's the quality level we feel we needed to bring into the club.

"That's going to enhance the boys that have been on this journey with us... Ryan Barnett and Max Cleworth - two boys who were with us in the National League and are now playing in the Championship, which is a great tribute to those who have stepped up well so far."

Parkinson is continuing to explore the market with a view to being active prior to the 19:00 BST deadline on Monday, 1 September.

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Wales international Jordan James (pictured) and West Ham United's Scottish midfielder Andy Irving are among the latest names to be linked with a switch to the Stok Cae Ras.

Following three successive promotions, Parkinson feels the club have been "playing catch-up" in a bid to ensure they have been ready for each next step of their journey under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"It's a bit like when we were in the National League, we had to fast track quickly in terms of the quality level in the squad because we were up against established National League teams who had been in the division and building squads for a long time," added Parkinson.

"Now we're in the Championship, we've come up so quickly we've had to fast track the quality level as well.

"So it's a similar scenario but it's a more expensive one - but then coming up the divisions generates the money that has enabled us to do that.

"We're a club always playing catch-up and to do that the recruitment has got to be quicker, and more of it, for want of a better word, to try and make sure we're competitive for this level."

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Liberato Cacace and George Thomason are nearing returns after sustaining injuries early in their Wrexham careers.

Left wing-back Cacace, an eye-catching summer signing from Empoli in Italy, was injured during his first Wrexham appearance as they lost at Southampton on the opening weekend of the Championship season.

Thomason, another new recruit, has not yet played for the Welsh club since joining from Bolton Wanderers.

Wrexham are also without Josh Windass - who signed from Sheffield Wednesday during the off-season - for around six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained during last Saturday's home defeat by West Bromwich Albion.

"People come in at different stages of their pre-season. I think Josh Winnass is a great example of that, who obviously came to us on the back of a disrupted period at Sheffield Wednesday through no fault of his. Subsequently he's got injured, which was a shame," said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.

"Libby [Cacace] gave so much in that Southampton game. He wasn't training with Empoli, he was on his own so, when he joined us, he missed a chunk and sometimes that kind of catches you up a bit. He's just got a slight hamstring tweak, nothing too serious.

"If the game last week was a cup final, last game of the season, it's one we may have been able to just play him in.

"So we've just got to be cautious at this stage of the season because I feel he's going to be a really good signing for us and he's shown it already.

"And George as well, just came in, moved to a new club, training may be slightly different to what he's used to and just a slight nick in the tendon in the top of his thigh and it's just taken longer than we anticipated to get right.

"But he's shown really good signs as well in that period he's trained with us and it won't be long before he's back."

Midfielders Ollie Rathbone and Andy Cannon and forward Jay Rodriguez remain sidelined with longer-term injuries.

Wrexham are close to completing the signing of Manchester City defender Callum Doyle in a deal worth £8m. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

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We asked for your thoughts on Wrexham's start to the season after the 3-2 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion, leaving Phil Parkinson's side without a point after two games back in the Championship.

Here are some of your comments:

Stuart: "This is exactly the challenging start Wrexham fans were expecting - it's a harsh but stark reality of the step up in division and let's not forget the fixture list could be much easier as a transition! I have faith Parkinson will be able to keep them grounded - and the new signings have the experience to support the dressing room.

Andrew: "While disappointed, it's early days and believe the new players will strengthen the way we need to adapt to a higher level in the Championship. Another strong central defence player is required and a real test will be next weekend as we play Sheffield Wednesday who are without a point in their first two games. Come on the Town."

Andy: "When a manager brings in a lot of new faces, it takes time for them all to settle in. We seem to have got that, but when you add it to the much better league then it's going to be tough. We have shown the fighting spirit we will need this season but just now to demonstrate the quality needed to do well. Both disappointing results but after 43 years still very happy with where we are.

Bob: "It never was going to be a walk in the park. Give the manager three months to show he can operate at this level before making any more changes. The Championship is a whole new ball game and the easy days are gone."

David: "Early days, two top teams played against. I don't think there is any crisis yet, but I do have doubts about the number one spot; I don't think Ward is good enough who was at fault for WBA's second and third goals."

James: "The team is far from the finished Championship article but the players are still sussing each other out and show obvious quality in all areas across the pitch. We may not get that 'Back-to-back-to-back-to-back' fairytale promotion this season but I've seen enough in this team already to feel that we're going upset a fair few teams. In Parky we trust!"

Steve: "Phil Parkinson must try other ways of playing instead of playing the long ball up to Kieffer Moore and hoping for the best. We're far too predictable. The fans can see it, why can't he?"

Walt: "A tough baptism against quality sides. We are not far away from settling down and picking up some points. We have played 180 minutes in probably the most difficult league in football to get out of, so not disheartened with what I have witnessed."

Andy: "We've played two title contenders and not been outclassed in either of the games. The difference at this level is that you need to take your chances or you get punished. We could miss two or three opportunities in the leagues below and still win the game, but not at this level. I think we'll be fine though; I've seen enough to suggest we'll win more than we'll lose and stay up."