Wrexham

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Wrexham defender Max Cleworth says the midweek win over Championship leaders Middlesbrough was an important one for the team's confidence.

The 2-0 win at the Racecourse was a much-needed victory for the Dragons following away defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United.

Cleworth played the full 90 minutes against Boro, after recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up against Burnley in September.

"Obviously the atmosphere was a bit low after the two previous games, so it's nice to get a positive result at home against a very good team," Cleworth said.

"We could have maybe had a couple more goals. So, from that point it gives everyone a bit of belief.

"But it just makes the mood of the place a little bit better and people are looking up now."

Cleworth hopes the impressive victory against Kim Hellberg's side can be the catalyst for an unbeaten run, similar to Wrexham produced last season.

The Dragons beat Coventry 3-2 in October 2025 - a result which saw Phil Parkinson's team embark an unbeaten run of six games.

"I think it's important," Cleworth added.

"I think if you get a few wins, you know, you can suddenly be quite high up and you're looking up again.

"But you can't just think because we did it last year, we're going to do it again this year. We have to sort of focus on each game at a time.

"Hopefully we can start some more consistent performances together."

Wrexham will want another heavyweight win in front of a home crowd when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The Red Dragons beat league leaders Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Stok Cae Ras in the week as they aim to climb up the table.

It was also a victory that puts second placed Wolves within striking distance of the top and the West Midlands outfit will be wanting to take their chance.

• This is the first meeting between Wrexham and Wolves in any competition since the 1987-88 campaign, with Wrexham winning home (4-2) and away (2-0) in the fourth tier.

• Wolves are winless in all three of their away league games against Wrexham, drawing 2-2 in January 1924, 0-0 in January 1987 and losing 4-2 in April 1988.

• Since the start of last season, Wrexham have won just one of their eight Championship games against sides relegated from the Premier League (D4 L3), beating Ipswich Town 5-3 in February.

• Wolves have lost four of their last six away league games against Welsh sides (W2), with this their first visit since a 2-1 loss to Cardiff in the 2018-19 Premier League.

• Having lost their first two Championship games in the 12.30 kick off slot last season, Wrexham are now unbeaten in their last four (W2 D2).

We asked for your views after Wrexham's morale-boosting triumph over Championship leaders Middlesbrough.

George Thomason and substitute Ollie Rathbone scored as Phil Parkinson's side responded to last Friday's dispiriting defeat at Sheffield United by ending Boro's 11-game unbeaten run in the second tier.

Here are some of your thoughts.

Stephen - Excellent performance. Showed the fight we needed after two very placid, off-key losses. We made Middlesbrough look average at best, kept their noses out of everything.

Michael - After about 20 minutes Wrexham started to confidently pass and move with purpose. Getting to half-time at 0-0 was crucial as that set the platform to build on in the second half. I can't believe that one Middlesbrough player being left out of the team caused them to be off their game but it seemed to make them weaker.

Tony - When they all work together and as a team we know what Wrexham are capable of. But it's a league when you only slightly have to take your foot off the gas and you will get punished. This has been the case the last few games so good to see them playing like they can. Got to keep it going now. Another big one Saturday - come on the Reds.

Rachel - Much improved and showed the fight and drive we expect from them. O'Brien man of the match for me.

Yvonne - Greatly improved all-round team performance. A clean sheet. Two goals and they focused well in defence, especially early on when Middlesbrough dominated possession.

Barry – Wonderful. On the front foot pressing, passing forward not back, more attempts on goal against the league leaders. What more can you want?

Mervyn - We fought like dragons - back to normal! Good to watch. Well done and deserved.

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Phil Parkinson says George Thomason has helped to raise the standards in training following the midfielder's fine display in Wrexham's 2-0 win against Middlesbrough.

Thomason sustained a thigh injury in his side's 1-1 draw with Watford on 22 August.

He was handed his first appearance in more than two months as a substitute against Sheffield United on Friday night.

The 25-year-old started against Boro and scored his second goal for the club in the 70th minute, with Ollie Rathbone adding his side's second 14 minutes later as the Red Dragons earned a morale-boosting victory over the Championship leaders.

"[He showed] personality in abundance, quality, and a tactical understanding of the role he was given tonight," Parkinson said of Thomason.

"It's great to have him back on the training pitch because he raises the standards in training.

"A big moment for the team. A great diagonal from Max [Cleworth] to Kieffer [Moore]. Kieffer does what he does and Tomo's there to shoot hard and low on a greasy surface and it ends up in the back of the net."

Having joined from Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2025, Thomason has predominantly featured at left wing-back in the absence of last season's first choice option Liberato Cacace.

However, Thomason played a starring role from midfield - his preferred position - in the triumph over Kim Hellberg's side in north Wales.

"I think George can play in those positions equally as well," added Parkinson.

"He's tactically a very good player, he's got a great understanding of the game and that's needed.

"It's not just about running around and tackling. You've got to press at the right times and the communication has got to be right against a team like Middlesbrough who have got a lot of rotations going on.

"George just gets it and he was great tonight."

Image source, Rex Features

George Thomason admits it has been "tough" being sidelined during what has been he describes as Wrexham's inconsistent campaign so far.

The midfielder, who can also play wing-back, suffered a thigh injury in the home draw against Watford in August and subsequently missed 10 games in the Championship.

The 25-year-old returned to first team action as a second half substitute in last Friday's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United.

"I was really frustrated to get injured early on in the season after what I thought was a pretty productive pre-season," Thomason said.

"To be honest, ever since I got back out on the grass during my rehab, I've been itching to get back involved with the lads.

"So, I was really pleased to be back amongst a squad and to get back on the pitch.

"I'm feeling good and, as I say, I'm looking to stay fit for the rest of the campaign.

"Hopefully I can kick on personally and as a team now."

Wrexham have won three, drawn five and lost five of their opening 13 league games.

Thomason is available after his comeback against the Blades for the back-to-back home games against Middlesbrough and Wolves this week.

"It's always tough when you're part of the squad and you're forced to watch because you feel as though you can't contribute and help the boys out," Thomason added.

"You almost feel a little bit guilty that you're not able to, as I say, help them out and you want to be around it.

"We wanted to start better than we have done, no doubt about that. But I'm sure we're going to find that consistency and energy.

"A bit similar to last year, hopefully we can kick on now that everyone's properly integrated and got a much better feel for the new signings and the new signings do for us."

Middlesbrough may need to retake their top position on the table when they make the trip to Wrexham on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Boro could be displaced by Swansea City if the Swans find success against Portsmouth on Tuesday.

But if the Welsh side fail to find a point, the league leaders will have the chance to extend their lead out of striking distance for the weekend.

Though Wrexham's campaign hasn't been the promotion charge they were hoping for so far and they will be looking to make a splash against top competitors.

• Both league meetings between Wrexham and Middlesbrough last season ended level, the only previous league games played between the sides.

• Middlesbrough have won just two of their six meetings with Wrexham in all competitions (D2 L2), though one of those came in this season's League Cup first round (1-0).

• Having won five consecutive away league games against Welsh sides between February 2023 and August 2024, Middlesbrough are winless in their last three visits (D2 L1). Both games last season ended in 2-2 draws (vs Swansea and Wrexham).

• Following their 4-1 win against Preston last month, Wrexham are looking to win consecutive home league games for the first time since February.

• Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last 12 away league games (W5 D6), going down 2-1 at Blackburn in August.

With the side sitting in 18th place in the Championship after 13 games, Ian Hunt and Dylan Griffiths discuss Wrexham's faltering start to the season.

Get the latest Wrexham news on BBC Sounds.

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Max Cleworth says he felt mixed emotions after making his long-awaited return from injury in Wrexham's 1-0 loss to Sheffield United.

The defender sustained a hamstring injury in the Red Dragons' 1-1 draw with Burnley at the Racecourse Ground on 8 September.

He missed six successive Championship matches but came off the bench for the second half of his side's underwhelming defeat by the Blades at Bramall Lane.

"Overall it's a bad evening," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"From a personal point of view, it was nice to be back out there after a frustrating break.

"We came here to win the game and we haven't done that, so it's a disappointing evening."

Phil Parkinson's men return to action against Championship leaders Middlesbrough on Wednesday night (19:45 GMT).

Boro are unbeaten in 10 league games, but Cleworth says the responsibility is on the Wrexham squad to improve their form having lost three of their past four games.

"There's no tougher game at the minute in the Championship (than against Boro)," he said.

"Results haven't been going how we'd like over recent times but it's down to us to put it right."

On the back of being sidelined for almost two months, academy product Cleworth praised Wrexham's medical staff for helping him return to action prior to the November international window.

"It's not been enjoyable. It's the first time in my career that I've had a prolonged period off the pitch," added the 24-year-old.

"It's made easier by the staff, they've helped me massively to get back quicker than expected so that's made a difference.

"But even in the good results and bad results, you want to be part of it, so it's been tough not to be involved."

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Phil Parkinson says Ben Sheaf has made "another step in the right direction" as the midfielder closes in on a return to full fitness.

The 28-year-old came off the bench in Wrexham's 2-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park last time out having missed three successive matches with a groin issue.

Max Cleworth and George Thomason returned to training earlier this month after sustaining hamstring and thigh injuries respectively earlier on in the campaign.

The duo did not travel with the Red Dragons to Blackburn, although Parkinson suggested both players are close to being available for selection.

"Sheafo has got through the week, he's trained well, he's made another step in the right direction," Parkinson said ahead of his side's Championship contest with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Friday night (20:00 GMT).

"Max and Tommo, they weren't with us (at Blackburn) on Saturday but they stayed here and trained. They've also had good weeks on the training pitch as well.

"We've had a good day today, we'll assess those two going into the weekend.

"At the very least, they strengthen up the numbers as we go into these three games in eight days."

Josh Windass, Liberato Cacace and Nathan Broadhead will miss the fixture with the Blades.