Wrexham will evaluate the fitness of Ben Sheaf ahead of their Championship match against his previous club, Coventry City, scheduled for Friday at the Stok Cae Ras at 20:00 BST. The 27-year-old midfielder has been sidelined since the team’s 1-0 defeat to Stoke City on October 18 due to a groin issue.
Manager Phil Parkinson provided an update, stating, “Ben’s getting there. We didn’t play him on Tuesday against Cardiff City because he needed to train. We’ll just assess him closer to kick-off, but we’ve got good options in the midfield area.” This depth in midfield is promising as the season progresses.
In addition to Sheaf’s situation, Ollie Rathbone made a much-anticipated return during the EFL Cup fourth-round match against Cardiff. After spending three months recovering from an ankle injury, Rathbone played a limited role, with Parkinson noting, “He was always going to come off, maximum 60 minutes anyway. It was almost like a pre-season game for him; we’ve got to get him some minutes.” Rathbone’s return adds another dimension to their midfield as he has performed well in training.
However, it hasn’t all been positive for Wrexham. Defender Lewis Brunt has recently undergone surgery, and it has also been revealed that midfielder Elliot Lee is likely facing a knee operation. Parkinson discussed the long-term injuries affecting his side, mentioning, “Andy [Cannon] is out on the training pitch every day working really hard. Jay [Rodriguez] is still in the gym frustrated to get back out working.” The team remains hopeful about their recovery, recognizing the challenges faced this season while looking forward to welcoming back their injured players.
With a mix of returns and continued challenges, Wrexham’s resilience will be crucial as they head into this important fixture against Coventry City.