Phil Parkinson gives an update on his injured Wrexham players
PHIL PARKINSON has spoken of his joy after seeing Aaron Hayden quickly recover from injury and the Wrexham boss hopes to have more players return to full fitness in the coming weeks.
Hayden was forced off the field with a thigh problem in the 2-1 home win over Doncaster Rovers on September 9. Although Parkinson said it was not a major problem, there are fears the centre-back will have to facing another layoff and only making three appearances this year. season.
A calf injury sustained in the 3–3 FA Cup fourth round draw with Sheffield United on 29 January ruled Hayden out for the remainder of the campaign as Wrexham won the National League title, and A groin problem kept the 26-year-old out of action. . missed the Red Devils’ return to the Football League.
However, Hayden returned to the starting line-up on Saturday without missing a game and he helped Wrexham beat Grimsby Town 3-0 at STók Cae Ras to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in League Two and moved up to fourth place in the rankings. .
Parkinson said: “Aaron had a knock on his thigh, a missing leg and was stiff from the start in the match against Doncaster.
“It was restricting his movement and we brought him off.
“But Aaron was back in training last week and it was great to see him complete practically all the game against Grimsby.”
Parkinson hopes striker Ollie Palmer, who scored his second goal of the campaign against Grimsby, shrugs off a knee problem.
“Ollie has had a bit of a problem with his knee,” said Parkinson.
“We have had it scanned, it is nothing serious and we will just have to monitor him during the week.
“Ollie had a decent off-season and he has got himself fitter.
“He has been working on his game which is obviously important and he got his rewards at the weekend with a well-taken goal.”
Fellow centre-back Jordan Tunnicliffe (back) is also back in training and Parkinson hopes he will be joined by wing-back Anthony Forde (Achilles).
“Jordan played for the reserves last week against Accrington but fell on his back,” said the Reds’ boss.
“Because of his previous back injuries, we were a bit worried but he is back in training which is a real bonus for us.
“Anthony hurt his Achilles at the back end of the Newcastle game but hopefully he will be back in training by the end of the week.”
Eoghan O’Connell, another defender, is still on the sidelines due to a hamstring problem along with goalkeeper Rob Lainton (knee).
“When Eoghan came on against Tranmere, he picked up a hamstring injury and is still another couple of weeks away,” added Parkinson.
“Rob is doing all the goalkeeping work but he is still struggling striking a ball because of his knee.
“He is seeing another specialist in London and we will probably know more then.”
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THE heaviest defeat of his Wrexham reign and a busy upcoming fixture list means Phil Parkinson is set to utilise his squad, starting with Saturday’s League Two clash with Crewe Alexandra at The STóK Cae Ras.
Wrexham go into the showdown on the back of a 5-0 loss against Stockport County at Edgeley Park last weekend as the seven-game unbeaten league run came to an abrupt end.
It was the third time this season that Parkinson’s men have conceded five goals in a game but the Reds are still seventh in the table, five points behind leaders Notts County.
After facing Crewe, Wrexham have three successive away matches.
Next Tuesday’s trip to Mansfield is followed by the clash at Crawley the Saturday after, and the league programme is then put on hold three days later as Wrexham make the short journey to Crewe for an EFL Trophy group game.
The fixtures are coming thick and fast but with plenty of options at his disposal, Parkinson is set to make the most of a strong squad and he mentioned some players who could come into his plans.
“We are coming up to Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday and there are players who maybe haven’t figured for a while that are going to get opportunities,” said the Reds’ boss.
“Like we did at the start of the season, when these games come thick and fast we have got to utilise the group and that is what we are looking to do.
“The plan is to freshen things up a bit.
“We will check on Ollie Palmer and we have got good players like Andy Cannon and James Jones, two different players who did so much for us at the back end of last season and both come back into the thinking.
“George Evans hasn’t started yet, Steven Fletcher is getting fitter all the time and Anthony Forde is back from his injury and having a good week on the training pitch.
“There’s lots of options there for us to contemplate and we will be doing that as staff.”
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