Wrexham

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Issa Kabore made his long-awaited return to action for Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) this week.

The right wing-back has missed Wrexham's past 11 Championship matches having been sidelined as a result of a hamstring problem he sustained while on international duty in November.

Despite the injury, the 24-year-old linked up with Burkina Faso for Afcon, and came off the bench in the 71st minute of their 3-0 loss to Ivory Coast in the last 16 of the competition on Tuesday.

With the Stallions now out of the competition, Kabore - who has made 11 appearances across all competitions since joining Wrexham on a season-long loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day - is poised to return to north Wales.

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With the January transfer window open, Wrexham have the chance to spend again on their squad.

The north Wales side - owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac - spent around £30m last summer following their promotion to the Championship.

Wrexham are just one point outside the play-off positions with 20 league games remaining.

Will they splash the cash once more in the hope of pushing for a fourth straight promotion?

We want to know which positions you think need strengthening - and what players should come in. And should Wrexham offload players this month, too?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

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Sam Vokes believes Wrexham are firmly in the mix to clinch promotion this season.

And the pundit's fellow former Wales striker Iwan Roberts says he can not rule out the possibility of the club finishing in the Championship's top two.

It comes after Phil Parkinson's men beat Sheffield United, Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County after Christmas to move to within a point of the second tier's top six spots.

"Of course they are [in contention], one point out of it at this stage of the season, they have momentum," Vokes told the Feast of Football podcast.

"I think it's so important, that atmosphere they have at home. If they can win their next two [against Norwich City and Leicester City], suddenly they're right in the mix."

He added: "The feeling around the place must be brilliant. They're a point off the play-offs.

"People were questioning if have they got it in them to have another promotion. They've set themselves up in 2026 to have a right push."

Only Coventry City and Ipswich Town have gained more points than Wrexham's tally of 36 from their past 21 league games since the Red Dragons were beaten 3-1 at home by Queens Park Rangers on 13 September.

And given the recent struggles of some of the sides currently in the top six, former Wales frontman Roberts said he could not dismiss the possibility that Wrexham end the 2025-26 campaign in the top two.

"I'm not ruling it out," Roberts said on the prospect of Wrexham earning automatic promotion.

"In the last five games in the Championship, only Watford have won more points than Wrexham. Coventry, they've only won once in five and that was against Swansea.

"Middlesbrough, they've been hit and miss lately. I fancy Ipswich, they still look strong. I still think they'll be in the top two."

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Iwan Roberts does not think Wrexham need to make any signings during the January transfer window as they already have "one of the strongest squads in the Championship".

The Red Dragons were always unlikely to be heavily active during the winter market having added 13 players to their ranks in the summer.

And former Wales international Roberts believes the strength-in-depth that Phil Parkinson currently has at his disposal will only continue to improve as players return from injury.

"The question was put to Phil Parkinson a few weeks ago if new players would come in when the window opened in January," Roberts told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast.

"If a player comes up who would improve the team and the squad, maybe he'd bring one or two in.

"But at the moment, he's more than content with the players that he's got.

"He has good options in every position, and there are players who have been out through injury who will be coming back fairly soon.

"I think he's got one of the strongest squads in the Championship so I don't think they need to bring anyone in."

Wrexham have won four consecutive league games since Christmas to rise to ninth in the Championship table, just one point adrift of the play-off places.

They have also seen players including Liberato Cacace and Jay Rodriguez return from injury of late, with boss Parkinson stating he does not want to disrupt the harmony he has in his squad by making needless additions this month.

Speaking after his side's 2-1 win at Derby County, Parkinson said: "Of course, in any club in January, there's always some activity.

"But like I keep saying, we've got players like Libby (Cacace) today back on the pitch, we've got Rodriguez back, we've got a lot of players coming back as well.

"So we just want to make sure that we're not adding players for the sake of it, because one of our strengths is our spirit."

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Phil Parkinson lauded goal scorers Sam Smith and Matty James after the pair continued their impressive recent form in Wrexham's 2-1 win at Derby County.

Smith put the Red Dragons ahead at Pride Park, although striker Ben Brereton Diaz levelled for the Rams.

But midfielder James netted his first goal of the season in sublime fashion just after half time as Parkinson's men clinched a fourth successive Championship win.

Discussing the performance of James - who is the only Wrexham player to feature in every league match this season - Parkinson said: "His performance was brilliant.

"You look at Matty, he's played every game over this Christmas period and he was so good today, so good.

"I'm very pleased for him to get that goal. It was a brilliant finish."

On Smith, Parkinson said: "I thought at Blackburn he was really good. He did everything you'd want from a striker. He ran in behind, he held it up and he got his goal.

"Today, again, against good players, you're up against three really good Championship defenders, he's had a brilliant chance earlier, but then he got his goal.

"It's just his all-round play and the way he fought for the team was just brilliant."

Victory against John Eustace's side lifted Wrexham to within a point of the Championship's play-off places.

And while eager not to get carried away with his side's recent run, Parkinson says Wrexham are undoubtedly better placed to finish in the top six this season as a result of their current winning streak.

"We've certainly put ourselves in a stronger position after the Christmas period," he said.

"It's four out of four over Christmas and I'm so pleased for our supporters because that support we had today was amazing.

"When you look at the costs over the Christmas period, for the supporters to come out in their numbers today was brilliant and I'm so pleased we sent them back happy."

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Josh Windass will be assessed before Wrexham's Championship contest with Derby County on Sunday (15:00 GMT) but Kieffer Moore is expected to miss out.

Windass sustained a calf problem during the Red Dragons' 2-1 win over Preston North End on 29 December while Moore was withdrawn during the same fixture with a hamstring injury.

The duo - the club's two top scorers this season - were both absent as Wrexham won 2-0 at Blackburn Rovers on 1 January.

"I think Josh will be assessed over the next couple of days. Kieffer, it's probably a bit too soon for him. We'll see," assistant boss Steve Parkin told BBC Sport Wales.

"I think the key thing is that we get the lads rested up, get them home and they'll have a breather tomorrow (Friday)."

Derby ended a three-match winless streak with a 1-0 home win over promotion candidates Middlesbrough on New Year's Day and Parkin is excited for the visit to Pride Park.

"What a game to go to. I know it's a very passionate football club, they'll have a massive crowd.

"I'm sure we'll have a big following because we've not been there for a long time and it's one to really look forward to."

The reverse fixture in north Wales in September ended level as Ben Brereton Díaz cancelled out Lewis O'Brien's opener.

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Steve Parkin lauded the impact of goal scorers Sam Smith and Ollie Rathbone after the pair starred during Wrexham's 2-0 Championship win at Blackburn Rovers.

Striker Smith was handed just his second league start of the campaign while Rathbone was playing from the outset in the Championship for the first time in 2025-26 following a lengthy lay-off with an ankle injury.

And having made five changes from the side that started in the 2-1 victory over Preston North End three days earlier for the contest at Ewood Park, assistant boss Parkin stated that freshness was key to the Red Dragons' triumph in Lancashire.

"We're well aware that we've got a good squad and we're well aware that we're getting people back to full fitness," Parkin told BBC Sport Wales.

"We're also aware, we check the numbers, and we've seen how far they've run in the last two games. We thought that freshness would be key in this game.

"It just shows that the gaffer is not frightened to put players in the team who have been on the bench.

"I'm delighted for them because Ollie Rathbone, Smudger (Smith), they've been a big part of what we are this season without probably getting the game time that they would like or maybe deserve at times.

"But they've never put their heads down, they're good citizens, they train properly, they've never been any trouble in the group and I'm delighted for both of them."

Rathbone's sublime strike was his third goal in just five league appearances this season.

It means the midfielder now boasts an impressive strike rate of a goal every 42.7 minutes this season in the league, and Parkin likened the 29-year-old's technique for his strike against Rovers to that of Dutch legend Marco van Basten.

"The goal we scored, he (Rathbone) had a hand in all three bits," Parkin said of his side's second goal.

"He got the foul, then he gets a nick on the ball when it comes in and then follows it round from Scarry's (Dan Scarr) little set to keep in the box. It's a van Basten finish."

On Rathbone, Parkin added: "He's great around the place. He's as mad as a box of frogs.

"It's just another high quality addition to the attacking part of the team where we've already got really good players.

"It's great to be able to call upon somebody of Ollie's quality."

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Blackburn will look to move further clear of the Championship relegation zone when they welcome a Wrexham side with the play-offs in their sights on New Year's Day (12:30 GMT kick-off).

Rovers are five points clear of the drop zone with a game in hand on 22nd-placed Oxford United and have lost just one of their past seven matches, albeit only one of those was a victory (D5).

Wrexham have won two on the bounce and are four points off the top six, with a chance to move within one point before other teams play later in the day on 1 January.

• This will be the first time Blackburn are hosting Wrexham at Ewood Park in a league fixture since October 1981, a 0-0 draw under Bobby Saxton.

• Wrexham have lost only one of their past 14 league meetings with Blackburn Rovers, though 10 of those have ended level (W3), including the reverse meeting this season in Wales (1-1).

• Blackburn Rovers have only lost one of their past eight league games played on New Year's Day (W4 D3), drawing 1-1 last year at Elland Road against Leeds United, despite going 1-0 behind in the 88th minute.

• Wrexham have failed to win any of their previous eight away games in the EFL played on New Year's Day (D2 L6), since a 2-0 win at Lincoln City in the fourth tier in 1966.

• Wrexham's Josh Windass has scored four goals across his past four EFL appearances on New Year's Day, netting a double for Wigan v Birmingham in 2020 and for Sheffield Wednesday against Hull and Derby in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

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Wrexham's chief executive officer (CEO) Michael Williamson says the Red Dragons are continuing to grow after an "exciting 12 months of progression on and off the pitch".

The Red Dragons clinched a third successive promotion in April to return to the second tier for the first time since the 1981-82 campaign.

After a slow start, Phil Parkinson's men have been more than competitive in the Championship and end 2025 in 11th place in the table.

Following his first full year as CEO, Williamson reflected on another memorable year for the north Wales outfit.

"Looking back on 2025, my first full year at this incredible club, it has been an exciting 12 months of progression on and off the pitch," he wrote in his matchday programme notes for Wrexham's 2-1 victory against Preston North End.

"The standout moment? Promotion to the EFL Championship against Charlton Athletic in April. The cheers from The Turf and beyond as Leyton Orient beat Wycombe set the stage perfectly.

"We knew a win would seal it - and you delivered an atmosphere that was electric from start to finish.

"We always believed back-to-back-to-back promotions were possible, but let's be honest - it's rare for a reason. It takes hard work, dedication and your unwavering support. That day was pure pride for everyone connected to this club."

Having risen from the fifth-tier National League to the Championship in just three seasons, Williamson stated the club has no intention of slowing down.

"Since then (promotion into the Championship), growth hasn't slowed," he added.

"Our team behind the scenes has tripled to nearly 140 staff, and we're building the infrastructure to match our ambitions on the pitch."

Williamson cited the purchase of The Rock for the women's and girls' football sides, the upgrade to the academy facilities at Darland and the commencement of work on the Stok Cae Ras' iconic Kop Stand as further examples of the club's improved future planning.

And the CEO hopes the club can enjoy even more success in the new year.

"Through all of this, one thing never changes: we're a club with our community at its heart and anchored in hometown roots," Williamson added.

"We're proud to share our success with the world, but it starts right here.

"We're ambitious, motivated, and ready to make 2026 even bigger."

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Phil Parkinson highlighted the importance of backing up the victory over Sheffield United as Wrexham beat Preston North End to earn successive league wins for the first time this season.

Goals from Nathan Broadhead and Ollie Rathbone either side of half time - with Alfie Devine netting late on for the Lilywhites - ensured the Red Dragons claimed three points to end 2025 in 11th place, four points adrift of the play-off spots.

Parkinson praised the mentality of his players as they made it 10 games unbeaten at home in the league.

"I'm very pleased. I felt it was important that we backed up the Boxing Day win and performance and we spoke to the lads about that mentality," said the Wrexham boss.

"Tonight was about if we could respond to a really good performance where we had a lot of praise against Sheffield United and have that accountability individually and collectively. I felt we did that really well.

"It was a good performance against a really good side, we know that, they're up there for a reason, but I think over the 90 minutes, we deserved the win."

Kieffer Moore - who teed up Broadhead for Wrexham's opener - was forced off through injury shortly before half time.

But Parkinson has allayed fears over the club's top scorer.

"It doesn't look too serious," he said.

"The big man got a whack against Sheffield United and hopefully it's not too serious.

"I've got to give special mention to Sam Smith as well because I've given him 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there.

"It's hard when you come on for short periods of time because you can't get into your rhythm but he showed what he is all about tonight.

"He ran the channels, he held the ball up, had two great chances to score, the goalkeeper's made a good save to the right and then he's hit the post but I'm pleased for Sam tonight."

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Wrexham midfielder George Thomason hopes his side can kick on after their thrilling win over Sheffield United in the Championship.

The Red Dragons – 13th in the table and five points off the play-offs - host Preston North End on Monday before away games at Blackburn Rovers (Thursday, 1 January) and Derby County (Sunday, 4 January).

"It's a really busy period of the season so if we can find consistent performances like that I can't see why we can't kick on from here," Thomason said after a man of the match performance against Sheffield United in which he played at left-back.

"Things can start to look differently and suddenly at the back end of January you're looking towards the end of the season and where can we finish?

"We've got a top group and I can't see why we can't kick on from here and really push on towards those play-offs."

Wrexham battled back from 3-1 down to beat Sheffield United 5-3 in a pulsating game at the SToK Cae Ras on Friday evening.

It ended a run of five games without a win and followed a 2-1 defeat away to Welsh rivals Swansea City the previous week and Thomason was pleased with the team's response against Sheffield United.

"We all know we've had a few difficult results lately and maybe the performances in general having been a little bit under par," Thomason added.

"So we have to take that on the chin. I thought we showed real good character and resilience and put in a top performance.

"I don't just want it to be a one-off performance. I want it to be a catalyst where we churn out these performances much more often because we're definitely capable of it."