Wrexham

Norwich City fans will need their sat-nav and road maps for this one as they head to Wrexham for a league match for the first time in more than 44 years.

They will face a Wrexham side on a four-game winning run and only one point short of the play-off places.

• Wrexham are set to host Norwich for a league game for the first time since September 1981. They have lost all three previous home league games against the Canaries, however.

• Norwich won five of their first six league games (D1) against Wrexham between 1958 and 1982 but they were beaten 3-2 at Carrow Road earlier this season.

• Wrexham have won their past four league matches, their best-ever winning run at this level of English football. Since 2004-05, the only newly-promoted Championship sides to win five in a row are QPR in 2004-05 (7), Leicester in 2009-10 (5), Bournemouth in 2013-14 (5), Brentford in 2014-15 (5) and Ipswich in 2023-24 (6).

• Norwich have kept just five clean sheets in their past 45 games in all competitions, and no side has fewer Championship clean sheets this season than the Canaries (2).

• Since Philippe Clement's first game in charge of Norwich on November 22, Jovon Makama has more goals in all competitions than any other Championship player (9 in 11 games), scoring an FA Cup third round hat-trick against Walsall last time out.

Image source, Getty Images

After nine successive seasons in League One, George Dobson has remained intent on taking his chance to impress in the Championship in 2025-26.

The central midfielder has featured in all but two of Wrexham's 26 Championship matches so far this term and delivered yet another eye-catching display in the FA Cup last time out.

Dobson's graft played a pivotal role in Liberato Cacace's opener against Nottingham Forest, while his sumptuous delivery from a free-kick led to Dom Hyam netting his side's third goal at the Stok Cae Ras last Friday.

By the end of extra time, Dobson could barely walk, such was the immense shift he had put in against Sean Dyche's Premier League side.

And for all of the talk around the club's 13 summer signings, Dobson once again showed that those who have been a part of Wrexham's rise up the football pyramid continue to be crucial to the Red Dragons' evolution in the second tier.

Former Charlton player Dobson, 28, has made more successful passes in the final third (215), won more ground duels (98) and won more possession (102) than any Wrexham player in the Championship so far this season.

His tally of 68 tackles also puts him at the top of the Wrexham charts and second in the entire Championship.

The numbers add up to a remarkable contribution for a player who always knew the step up from League One level was going to be a challenging one.

Speaking ahead of the third-round victory over Forest, Dobson said: "Coming up, I knew the club were going to invest in bringing in higher quality players, so I knew it was going to be tough for me.

"So I've tried to work really hard to stay involved. Thankfully the gaffer's put his faith in me and I've, touch wood, played a lot and hopefully that can continue in the second half of the season."

Image source, Rex Features

After a fantastic Friday night of drama at Stok Cae Ras, with Wrexham knocking out Premier League Nottingham Forest on penalties, we asked fans who they would like in Monday evening's fourth round draw.

Here are some of the responses:

Rich: Would love to get a big club at home. I actually don't want us to get promoted as I feel we need to build the infrastructure before moving up. If we could get through the rounds in the cup that would be amazing.

Catherine: We don't mind who we get next, but I would like another Premier League team at the Stok Cae Ras. Such an amazing atmosphere. We scare any team at home.

Mike: Pretty great coming in at the third round, not needing the money and not needing the glamour of a big team as we're playing them weekly this season. At a push, we've never played Leeds in anything, so…

Chris: The draw is completely random. All I ask is for the team to keep playing with honesty, passion and commitment. It's a great time to be a Wrexham fan.

Nick: Let's get Arsenal back at the Racecourse. Very unlucky to lose 3-2 in the 1978 quarter-final, and carried out the infamous revenge job in 1992. Wrexham to win the rivalry 2-1 (by 2-1) in 2026!

Shireen: I would like us to play Leeds, it would be a terrific match. Don't think we'd beat them, but I'd like to see them at the Racecourse.

Ben: Liverpool or United at home please.

Dougie: Got to be Macclesfield at home. Let's get to Wembley for our brilliant owners.

Ben: Manchester City at home. Might as well go for the big ones first. Though, really, a smaller team might guarantee going forward.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says Max Cleworth is "very much part of our plans" amid claims Aston Villa have shown an interest in the defender.

The 23-year-old played a significant role in the Red Dragons' rapid rise from the National League to the Championship.

He has started all but one of the club's 26 league games so far this season but was omitted from the matchday squad for his side's dramatic FA Cup third round victory over Nottingham Forest.

But Parkinson stated that both Cleworth and midfielder Matty James were left out against the Premier League side to give them a chance of being fit for Saturday's Championship encounter with Norwich City at the Stok Cae Ras. (15:00 GMT).

When asked about rumoured interest from Premier League Villa in Cleworth, Parkinson responded: "I haven't heard that at all. Maybe it's because he wasn't in the team.

"Max is very much part of our plans. He just had a problem with his groin."

Up until his side's 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on New Year's Day, Cleworth was the only Wrexham player to have played every single league minute for the club this term.

He was an unused substitute against Rovers but went on to play the full match as Wrexham defeated Derby County 2-1 at Pride Park three days later.

"We've been getting him through the games and left him out of Blackburn," added Parkinson.

"We made a decision, whatever the outcome at Derby, he was going to be rested for this [cup] game to give him a chance to be fit for next weekend, and the same as Matty James."

Cleworth captained the first team in their Carabao Cup fourth round contest with Cardiff City on 28 October.

Image source, Getty Images

The 2025-26 FA Cup fourth-round draw will take place on Monday, 12 January at approximately 18:35 GMT.

Proceedings will take place before kick-off in the third-round tie between Liverpool and Barnsley at Anfield.

Former England internationals Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole will conduct the draw that will consist of 32 teams live on TNT Sports.

Supporters can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 14 February.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Non-league Macclesfield are the lowest-ranked team in the draw after beating holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 victory.

What are the ball numbers?

• 1. Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 2. Southampton

• 3. Aston Villa

• 4. Port Vale

• 5. Wigan Athletic

• 6. Ipswich Town

• 7. Wrexham

• 8. Chelsea

• 9. Manchester City

• 10. West Ham United

• 11. Brentford

• 12. Fulham

• 13. Sunderland

• 14. Liverpool or Barnsley

• 15. Burnley

• 16. Norwich City

• 17. Arsenal

• 18. Leeds United

• 19. West Bromwich Albion

• 20. Salford City or Swindon Town

• 21. Burton Albion

• 22. Grimsby Town

• 23. Hull City

• 24. Newcastle United

• 25. Oxford United

• 26. Leicester City

• 27. Birmingham City

• 28. Bristol City

• 29. Stoke City

• 30. Macclesfield

• 31. Brighton & Hove Albion

• 32. Mansfield Town

Image source, BBC Sport

There was a night drama as Nottingham Forest fought back to take Friday's FA Cup tie to extra time and penalties at Stock Cae Ras on Friday.

But after emerging as winners on penalties, who do Wrexham fans want to Phil Parkinson's side to see pitted against them in the fourth round when the draw takes place on Monday?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 pens) Nottingham Forest

• Preston North End 0-1 Wigan

• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Everton 1-1 (0-3 pens) Sunderland

• Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town

• Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough

• Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

• Newcastle 3-3 (7-6 pens) Bournemouth

• Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Bristol City 5-1 Watford

• Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

• Charlton 1-5 Chelsea

There are four third-round ties in the FA Cup on Friday, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• MK Dons v Oxford United - BBC Three Counties Radio and BBC Radio Oxford

• Port Vale v Fleetwood - BBC Radio Stoke

• Preston v Wigan - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wrexham v Nottingham Forest - BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Nottingham

All kick-offs 19:30 GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Preston v Wigan" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Wrexham v Nottingham Forest".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham have announced that three first year professionals will go out on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Midfielder Alex Moore has joined Colwyn Bay while forward Rio Owen will link up with fellow Cymru Premier side Caernarfon Town.

Defender Tom Kelly has joined Northern Premier League Division One West side Bootle on loan.

"All at Wrexham AFC would like to wish Alex, Rio and Tom all the best for the rest of the season as they continue their development in senior football," Wrexham said in a statement.

Image source, Getty Images

Issa Kabore will return to Wrexham on Friday as Kieffer Moore continues to progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Kabore, 24, has not featured for the Red Dragons since sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty in November.

But he returned to action for Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday and is poised to rejoin the Wrexham squad imminently after seeing his national team lose 3-0 to Ivory Coast in the last 16 of the competition earlier this week.

"Issa will be back in Wrexham [on Friday] so obviously I'll be exchanging messages with him," said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

"I think the important thing is that he came through his performance at the back end of the game unscathed and I think that's the key for us.

"So we need to see him, have a chat with him and then build him up gradually for the next couple of weeks."

Striker Moore missed the wins at Blackburn Rovers and Derby County after sustaining a hamstring issue during Wrexham's 2-1 win over Preston North End on 29 December.

But Parkinson suggested that the Wales international, 33, is closing in on a return to action.

"Kieffer's making really good progress and he's done some of the training with the boys [on Thursday] and he's in [on Friday] for a further assessment," said the Wrexham boss.

The Red Dragons face Premier League opposition for the first time during Parkinson's reign as they host Nottingham Forest at the Stok Cae Ras on Friday (19:30 GMT).

And Parkinson believes freshness will be key for his side as he ponders what changes to make following last Sunday's 2-0 win at Derby.

"In a cup game or league game, [it will be] in similar vein to what we've been doing over Christmas in terms of looking at a bit of freshness in the team. I think that will be important," he explained.

"We've trained the last couple of days, the lads have trained well and we've just got to make the call right on the team to get the balance of the team right and the continuity but also a bit of freshness in there as well."

Image source, BBC Sport

Having spent around £30m last summer following their promotion to the Championship, BBC Sport asked Wrexham fans if the club should spend again in January?

And in what positions?

Here are some of the responses:

Tom - I can understand the temptation, this is our only chance to extend our historic run to incredible heights never seen before. That aside, also, will we get a better chance to go up given how open the race is - while ignoring Coventry at the top! I'd love them to go for it, but keep an eye on next season if we fail.

David - I'd break the bank to get Harry Wilson and a centre back

Peter - There is absolutely no need to acquire any new players. This is a very strong squad with sufficient strength in depth.

Marty - Definitely another striker - one of Wrexham's worst signings has got to be Jay Rodriguez.

Alex - I'd like to see some pace added to our midfield but otherwise I'd stick with the squad that's seems to be gelling so well.

Michael - Another player or two with quality would give us a great chance to do something special this season.