Wrexham face Reading in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, with Phil Parkinson surely preparing to ring the changes.
Wrexham beat Norwich City 3-2 on Saturday, putting in an incredible team effort to come from behind and claim all three points.
After that victory at Carrow Road, Phil Parkinson’s attention now turns back to the Carabao Cup.
Wrexham have already seen off Hull City and Preston North End to reach the third round, and will now take on Reading at the STōK Cae Ras on Tuesday night.
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Phil Parkinson faces tricky Arthur Okonkwo decision ahead of Wrexham v Reading
Parkinson will almost certainly shake up his line-up for this game, resting key players – especially after Saturday’s physical exertion.
Fringe Wrexham players will be looking for a chance to shine, but the goalkeeping position is up in the air.
Danny Ward’s recent injury means Arthur Okonkwo has returned between the sticks, but he has yet to recapture his best form.
Okonkwo was brilliant in League One last season, but was dropped in favour of Ward to start the Championship campaign.
Okonkwo has looked a little shaky since filling in for Ward, and didn’t really cover himself in glory against QPR.
Some may even suggest that Okonkwo could have done better with Jovon Makama’s goal for Norwich on Saturday, pushing Liam Gibbs’ strike right into his path.
These are the natural ups and downs for a young player, especially one adjusting to a new level.
So, that leaves Parkinson with a big decision against Reading: keep Okonkwo in goal in an attempt to build up his sharpness, or bring in Callum Burton.
The natural thought process is to put Burton in, with most managers deciding to switch goalkeepers for cup games.
Parkinson may not want to risk an injury to Okonkwo, and Burton has proven himself to be a more than able deputy when called upon.
That line of thinking points to Burton starting, but there could be real value in allowing Okonkwo to build some momentum with another game.
Goalkeepers need regular action just as much as outfield players, and that may be the case for Okonkwo after a stop-start opening to the season.
Our best guess is that Burton will be given the chance to start and build up some match sharpness of his own.
Okonkwo needs games to find his best form again, though, and there may be a temptation to start him against Reading with that in mind.
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Callum Burton could make his first Wrexham appearance in nine months
Burton has only played eight times for Wrexham since joining from Plymouth Argyle last summer.
The 29-year-old turned out in four League One games, three EFL Trophy games and one Carabao Cup tie.
Burton’s last appearance came way back in December 2024, as he was taken off injured in a 1-0 win over Barnsley.
Burton returned to the matchday squad against Burton Albion in April, but he is still waiting for his return to action.
Tuesday’s clash with Reading could offer Burton the ideal opportunity to return, though Parkinson will be weighing up whether to throw him into the Wrexham XI or to go with Okonkwo once more.