Wrexham

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Dan Scarr says Wrexham players are "buzzing" for their EFL Cup tie with Cardiff City on Tuesday night (20:00 BST).

Phil Parkinson's side have beaten Hull City, Preston North End and Reading to reach the fourth round of the competition for the first time since 1977.

And defender Scarr admits players have had an eye on the fixture with the Bluebirds since the draw was made earlier this month.

"I'm really looking forward to that one," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"There's been a few conversations about it already and we've had one eye on it.

"The fans are going to be behind us for that one. The lads are already buzzing for it.

"Hopefully we can get the ground rocking and get through to the next round."

Scarr came off the bench to replace the injured Lewis Brunt as Wrexham claimed a 1-1 draw with high-flying Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

It was just the defender's fourth league appearance of the season, and the 30-year-old says the competition for a starting berth is fierce at present.

"We've got a good squad, training's intense all the time so everyone's pushing each other," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"It's good healthy competition, we all get on and want the best for each other and the team.

"I'm gutted for Brunty, he's one of my close mates and he's been doing well but I'm sure he'll get on the mend quickly."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham's performance against promotion-hopefuls Middlesbrough should give his players the confidence that they can truly compete in the Championship.

Josh Windass' deflected strike - his fourth goal of the season - in the seventh minute looked set to earn the visitors all three points at the Riverside Stadium.

But Hayden Hackney headed beyond Arthur Okonkwo in the 80th minute to earn Rob Edwards' side a point.

Despite being unable to hold on for the win, Parkinson feels his squad should take huge confidence from going toe to toe with the side who currently sit second in the table.

"If ever a performance has got to give the lads confidence and belief that we're a decent side, it's today," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"The structure without the ball was brilliant, but equally some of the football we played was excellent.

"Some of the play when we got it out to our wing-backs was outstanding. We've got a great goal from another well worked set play.

"I don't think we could have asked for any more from the lads from today, they've given us so much.

"I said to the lads before the game, 'we're not here just to stop Middlesbrough playing, we're here to play'. We've got players who can play. I still want more belief, and some of the football we played, I was very pleased."

Wrexham were dealt a blow in the first half as Lewis Brunt - who started in place of the suspended Callum Doyle - was forced off through injury.

But Parkinson praised Brunt's replacement Dan Scarr who was handed just a fourth league appearance of the season off the bench.

"We've lost Brunty, he's got a bad thigh injury and we had to reorganise the team," added Parkinson.

"A special mention for Scarry, I think he was brilliant when he came on. He's had to be patient. I just thought he was really strong and solid.

"We put Dom [Hyam] to the left and we know he can play all along the back three. That was one of the reasons we brought him in."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is relishing the opportunity to face Middlesbrough having watched icon Billy Ashcroft from the stands as a child.

Liverpool-born Ashcroft started his professional career with Wrexham and scored 72 goals in 219 appearances for the club before joining Boro in 1977.

The forward - who also played in central defence - spent five years in the north east of England before going on to have spells with FC Twente and Tranmere Rovers, and was among Parkinson's childhood heroes.

"From the age of eight I lived in Stockton-on-Tees and I used to go and watch Middlesbrough play a lot," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"The likes of Billy Ashcroft who was one of the first centre-forwards I watched when I was a youngster, who is obviously a Wrexham legend.

"It was great when I came to Wrexham to meet Billy, I used to stand on the terraces to watch him.

"So I've got some good memories of being in the stands watching some decent teams over the years."

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Liberato Cacace is hoping to repay the faith shown in him by manager Phil Parkinson after an injury-hit start to his Wrexham career.

The New Zealand defender missed a chunk of games after the Red Dragons' season opener at Southampton and did not feature for more than six weeks after playing 77 minutes in his side's 2-0 win at Millwall in late August.

But having come off the bench at Stoke City last weekend before starting in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Oxford United, Cacace now feels he is well placed to kick-on.

"He's (Parkinson) been great. It's been unfortunate with the injuries but hopefully now I can pay back the opportunities he's given me," the left wing-back told BBC Sport Wales.

"It was great to get 80 minutes the other day and great to get out of it injury free as well. Hopefully I can continue that form.

"Hopefully now I can just focus on getting some assists and goals for the team."

Wrexham will be hoping to build on their triumph over Oxford when they take on promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Boro sit second in the Championship table ahead of the meeting between the sides, having lost just once in their opening 11 league fixtures.

"They've shown on numerous occasions that they're a top-quality side," Cacace said of Boro.

"They've got some really good players and some great individuals that can hurt us.

"But we've got a game plan that we have to execute, and hopefully we can get that done.

"We'll attack every game like we did against Oxford. We've done pretty well away from home and we've just got to continue that momentum from the win against Oxford."

Middlesbrough and Wrexham will meet for the first time ever in the English Football League when they face off at the Riverside on Saturday (15:00 BST).

For Boro, victory could see them back at the apex should Coventry City fail to get a result earlier in the day against Watford.

Wrexham will not be able to escape the midtable with an additional three points to their name but they would begin a winning streak having beaten Oxford United last time out - and defeating Middlesbrough is something boss Phil Parkinson would love to add to his CV.

• This is the first ever league meeting between Middlesbrough and Wrexham – it's the first time Middlesbrough are facing a side for the first time since January 2021, winning 3-1 vs Wycombe.

• Wrexham and Middlesbrough last faced in December 1999 in the FA Cup, with the Welsh side winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Robin Gibson and Darren Ferguson.

• Middlesbrough have won eight of their last 11 home league matches (D2 L1), with their only defeat in this run coming against last season's champions Leeds in April.

• After losing their last away league game 1-0 to Stoke, Wrexham will be looking to avoid recording consecutive defeats on the road for just the third time since returning to the EFL in 2023 (January 2025 and a run of three in February 2024).

• Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has lost all four of his previous league meetings with Middlesbrough, losing both games in 2017-18 and 2018-19 with Bolton, failing to score in any match.

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Matty James feels Wrexham are continuing to grow into life in the Championship having earned their first home league win of the season.

The 1-0 triumph over Oxford United - courtesy of Nathan Broadhead's 14th minute strike - lifted Phil Parkinson's side up to 15th in the table.

And midfielder James says the increased competition for places has helped the Red Dragons settle into their first season in the second tier in more than four decades.

"I think in certain games where we've drawn or lost, certainly one or two at the start and in the last run, we probably should have come away with a win, so there's probably been a little bit of disappointment towards that," he said when assessing Wrexham's league campaign so far.

"But I think that the way the group is building, the competition in the group is extremely high. It's healthy.

"Every day on the training pitch, everybody's trying to get into the team.

"That's one of the key things for us now, to make sure whatever 11 goes out there, that we show the performance and the way that the gaffer wants us to play and make sure that we do that."

Wrexham return to action against promotion-chasing Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Their hectic schedule continues as they host Cardiff City in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday before welcoming league leaders Coventry City to the Stok Cae Ras three days later.

And James feels Wrexham must relish the opportunity to consistently take on such strong opposition.

"People have talked about where Wrexham have been and to be here at this point now is amazing," added James.

"But for us as a group of staff and players, we want to go out there and win matches and climb the league as well.

"Middlesbrough is our next game, we've then got the League Cup game against Cardiff and then possibly top of the league [Coventry].

"But first and foremost we focus on [Middlesbrough] and make sure we go up there, with the capabilities this group has got, with belief and hopefully we'll come away with three points."

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It has taken them 24 years to get there, but Wrexham are the highest-placed Welsh club in the Football League following Tuesday's win over Oxford United.

The 1-0 victory at the Stok Cae Ras lifted Phil Parkinson's side up to 15th in the Championship, one place above Swansea City who were beaten 1-0 at home by Queens Park Rangers.

The two Welsh rivals are level on points and goal difference, but Wrexham sit above the Swans on the basis of goals scored.

It is the first time Wrexham have led the way for Welsh clubs in the EFL since May 2001, when the Red Dragons finished 10th in the old Division Two and Swansea finished 23rd and were relegated.

Cardiff City were in the division below and, after being promoted, were always above Wrexham the following season.

Technically, it is the second time this season Wrexham have been above Swansea - they were also in front on goals scored after the opening game of the campaign, when Swans lost 1-0 at Middlesbrough and Wrexham were beaten 2-1 at Southampton.

However, many would argue the league table counts for little just one game into the season, with Swansea and Wrexham having both now played 11.

Wrexham will hope to go clear of Swansea on points when they travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday, while Alan Sheehan's side have the chance to re-establish their position as highest Welsh side at home to struggling Norwich City.

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Wrexham trio Elliot Lee, Ben Sheaf and Ollie Rathbone are all being assessed after suffering minor injury setbacks.

Summer signing Sheaf was left out of the matchday squad for Wednesday night's 1-0 victory over Oxford United due to a groin issue.

Rathbone is yet to feature this season after being sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained in pre-season but felt a tightness in his thigh this week.

Lee, whose only appearances this season have come in the EFL Cup, has a knee complaint and is due to see a specialist.

But Phil Parkinson says none of the injuries are serious, with all three players set to be assessed prior to Saturday's contest with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium (15:00 BST).

"Ollie at the back end of last week had a bit of tightness in his thigh which he wasn't concerned about, but it flared up a little bit in training on Monday. We're in no need to risk him," said Parkinson.

"Sheaf, not a major injury at all, he struck a ball in training yesterday and felt a bit of tightness.

"With the players we've got, Matty [James], Dobbo [George Dobson] and Thommo [George Thomason], we had no need to take a risk with the players.

"Elliot Lee has got to see a specialist about his knee.

"They're not serious injuries and we'll get them back. From game to game, we've got to look at making changes and keep freshening the team up like we did today."

Wrexham remain without long-term absentees Jay Rodriguez, Danny Ward, Andy Cannon, Harry Ashfield and Aaron James.

Ioan Griffiths

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Former Wales striker Malcolm Allen believes Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is "underachieving" this season.

Wrexham spent around £33m during the summer transfer window but sit 19th in the Championship table with 10 points from 10 games before hosting Oxford United on Wednesday tonight.

The Red Dragons are also winless in their last four in the league and are yet to pick up a victory at home this season, drawing three and losing two.

Oxford are one place behind Wrexham and Allen says the pressure is mounting on Parkinson.

Allen told the Y Coridor Ansicrwydd podcast: "I am willing to give him a chance but it's getting to crunch time. Oxford is a massive game.

"To me he is underachieving with his squad and all the money spent. Something has to change, the players are not going to change. So one person takes the blame.

"It won't happen tomorrow, but he has to be feeling the pressure on his shoulders now."

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Phil Parkinson feels Wrexham must focus on delivering a 90-minute performance against Oxford United rather than being fixated on securing their first home league win of the campaign.

The Red Dragons have drawn three and lost two of their five Championship fixtures at the Stok Cae Ras so far this term and saw their five-game run come to an end last time out as they were beaten 1-0 by Stoke City.

Tonight, they host an Oxford United side who ended their own three-match winless run by beating Derby County 1-0 on Saturday.

But Parkinson says when it comes to pursuing a victory over Gary Rowett's outfit his players must not deviate from the game plan as they did in their defeat by the Potters at the weekend.

"Whatever happened on Saturday [at Stoke], this was always going to be an important game," the Wrexham boss said.

"I don't want us to be too fixated on 'we have to get this home win'.

"We have to concentrate on the quality of the performance throughout the game and if we do that, it'll give us the best chance to get the result.

"It's about alleviating that fixation on the outcome and concentrating on what we've got to do to get there.

"We'll be speaking about that and pick the team and the bench that we feel has got the best chance to achieve that.

"There's a really good group of lads who care a lot. I just want us to have a real focus on the game plan and executing that across the 90 minutes."

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Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo feels he still has huge room for improvement after being given the chance to impress in the Championship as a result of Danny Ward's injury.

Having returned to his boyhood club in the summer following his release by Leicester City, Wales international Ward started the campaign as the club's first choice goalkeeper.

But Okonkwo has played every minute of league action since replacing Ward in a 2-0 win at Millwall in late August after the 32-year-old dislocated his elbow.

"It's been a really good experience for me," said Okonkwo, who was part of the Wrexham side that gained promotion from League Two and League One.

"I'm just taking it game by game and adapting as well, as well as everyone else is adapting.

"But I'm really enjoying it. I'm enjoying playing, I just want to improve in every game and take little bits from every game."

Okonkwo kept 19 clean sheets - the second most in the division - as Wrexham gained automatic promotion for a third year running last season.

And while he was left disappointed not to play from the outset this term, the 24-year-old says Wrexham's strength in depth means players have to be more patient for regular game time.

"You just have to stay focussed. It's a team full of quality players, not everyone's going to play, not everyone's going to start," added the former Arsenal academy keeper.

"I'm sure I'm not the only one that was frustrated at the beginning of the season when they didn't start.

"But it's all about staying focused and concentrated on the main goal which is performing when you get the opportunity.

"I'm happy with my performances and there's so much more to improve. I'm still adapting and I'm just hoping my performances can get better and better."

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Following Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium, we asked fans if Wrexham's inability to get over the line in recent matches has been a cause for concern.

Here are some of the responses we received.

Andrew - Feel like we could and maybe should have taken five more points from the last three games, just haven't taken our sometimes glaring chances.

Bob - Events so far show Wrexham can avoid relegation. That's about all. So far I don't think anyone knows what their best line up is. Better figure it out soon plus a game plan with more than one dimension. Go get Mourinho!

Tony - Every game has been tight and the tide will turn, I've no doubt.

Andrew Lloyd-Green - Our league position reflects our overall performances so far, where we have been good in parts, yet missed several key goal scoring chances which would have turned a draw in to a win or a loss in to a draw - the margins are fine and we look a strong side that's competing. However, we do lack pace when we transition and counter attack and Kieffer Moore is isolated too often and I believe this stems from the formation we play. It's early days but between now and Christmas we need to more than double the points per game tally we've amassed so far as otherwise we will be in a relegation battle going in to the New Year.

Simon - Having spent £30m on the team you'd expect better, more consistent, performances. Getting rid of experienced proven goal scorers like [Paul] Mullin and [Ollie] Palmer before you're sure of the new players doesn't look like the best planning now. Mid table finish looks best we can hope for from the evidence so far. But the worst case scenario of relegation is still a possibility, unfortunately, unless they improve dramatically.

David - They are on a curve upward. You can see it in how they are playing. The incidents of costly mistakes is definitely going down. Just need to show more patience in the offensive end.

Andy - The lack of enterprise and pace on the wings at times is a bit concerning. The defence always feels a bit vulnerable too. But overall these lads have had hardly anytime together and things aren't bad, they're just not that great compared to the previous few years.

It's been over two decades since Oxford United last took victory over Wrexham but they will be looking to do when they visit the Stok Cae Ras on Wednesday (19:45 BST).

Both sides sit next to each other on the table in 18th and 19th position respectively, though Wrexham do have one more point than the U's.

However, the Red Dragons have yet to claim a victory on home soil in the Championship this season, and Oxford's visit see them coming off a high after a 1-0 win over Derby County on the weekend.

• This will be the first Football League meeting between Wrexham and Oxford United since a 1-1 draw in April 2006; the Welsh side are unbeaten in their last 12 such encounters (W9 D3) since a 0-2 defeat in March 1983.

• The last competitive meeting between Wrexham and Oxford United saw the U's win an FA Cup second round tie 2-1 in 2013-14.

• Wrexham remain winless at home in the Championship this season (P5 D3 L2) – their longest ever winless home start to a Football League campaign.

• Since the start of last season, the only ever-present side in England's top four tiers with fewer away league wins than Oxford United (3) are Southampton (2).

• Wrexham's Phil Parkinson has won five of his seven managerial league matches against Oxford United, although the exceptions were his last two at home, defeats with Bradford City (1-2 in 2013) and Bolton Wanderers (0-2 in 2016).