Wrexham Injury Latest: Parkinson Targets Windass, Broadhead And O’Hare Returns

Phil Parkinson has made the return of Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead and Callum O’Hare a priority during the international break as Wrexham look to build on an encouraging response to recent setbacks.

Four points from home matches against Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers have given the Red Dragons a stronger platform heading into the international break. Attention now turns to whether a depleted attack can regain some of its missing options before Championship football resumes.

Speaking to Wrexham’s official website after the Wolves draw, Parkinson said: “For us, it’s about getting Windass, Broady and O’Hare available now. That’s the key.”

Earlier in the week, Parkinson said Windass’s ankle had not improved as quickly as expected. Swelling remained a concern despite the forward undertaking work on an anti-gravity treadmill, and the manager explained that pressure on the joint needed to be reduced.

Broadhead was approaching a different stage of his recovery. Parkinson said on November 3 that the Wales international was expected to take part in some training that Thursday, while stressing that he had been absent for a considerable period.

A partial return to training and readiness for a Championship match are separate steps. Wrexham will need to establish how much overload Broadhead can complete before deciding what role he can realistically play.

O’Hare, meanwhile, had withdrawn from preparations for the Sheffield United fixture. Parkinson described his general play positively, suggesting Wrexham had lost a player close to making a bigger impact on the first-team squad.

There was further encouragement before the Wolves game, when the manager reported that O’Hare had made progress. However, he had also undergone treatment away from the club and still required assessment.

The need for reinforcements has become more pressing following Sam Smith’s serious knee injury. The striker was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, leaving Wrexham with another significant attacking absence ahead of fixtures against Boro and Wolves, yet they managed to collect four points from an availble six.

Wrexham beat Middlesbrough 2–0 before Lewis O’Brien’s equaliser secured a 1–1 draw against Wolves. Those results give them something tangible to build on while the injured players continue their rehabilitation.

The schedule after the break makes the next fortnight particularly useful. Lincoln away is followed by a visit to Bristol City on November 24, before Portsmouth arrive at the Racecourse on November 28. Three league matches in eight days will test both selection options and recovery between games.