Wrexham are preparing to travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City in a fixture that is expected to be one of the toughest in the Championship this season.
The Foxes have been impressive at home this campaign following their relegation from the Premier League, as it has helped them occupy fifth in the division going into this match.
Phil Parkinson will realise the task at hand; however, he has the chance to make history with his side by earning Wrexham’s first ever league win over Leicester.
It is also a chance for the Welsh side to make a piece of history in the Championship, as Wrexham could win three consecutive away matches for the first time ever in the second tier.
This may see him freshen the team up from their draw against Derby County just three days ago, including the return of an ‘important’ player to the Red Dragons’ approach, as described by the Wrexham boss to the club website.
Wrexham injury and team news
There are still several long-term to medium-term injuries for Wrexham heading into the game with Leicester.
Both Andy Cannon and Jay Rodriguez are still out of action, although Ollie Rathbone is on his way back to fitness. It is unlikely the latter will see action from the start against Leicester due to lacking match fitness.
Danny Ward will continue his absence for the foreseeable future, with Arthur Okonkwo impressing Parkinson while the Welsh international remains out of action.
Harry Ashfield will miss out with an ankle problem, while the New Zealand international Liberato Cacace is out with a hamstring injury.
Parkinson addressed Kieffer Moore’s injury concerns and those worries about the fitness of Issa Kabore after the pair were withdrawn from action during the Derby match, as he suggested they were not as bad as first feared.
As the Wrexham injury picture appears to look relatively healthy, here is how Parkinson could line his side up this weekend…
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Wrexham predicted XI against Leicester City
Okonkwo is set to continue in goal for Wrexham, and he has been growing in confidence game upon game since coming in for the injured Danny Ward, helping to secure the draw against the Rams with a fine double save.
An identical back three from their draw with Derby, consisting of Lewis Brunt, Dom Hyam, and Max Cleworth, is likely to be deployed due to how solid it appeared, leaving Callum Doyle on the bench once again.
As for the wide options, expect Issa Kabore to remain on the right, having shone in both his appearances for the Red Dragons, while on the left expect the ‘important’ James McClean to return to the starting side to add energy in the place of Ryan Longman.
A midfield three of Ben Sheaf, George Dobson, and Lewis O’Brien has proved to work effectively, but again, to freshen things up, there may be a change as Matty James may come in.
This could see Sheaf drop to the bench from the start, but expect him to make a swift entry to the field in the second half for James.
Nathan Broadhead could make a return to the starting side in the place of Kieffer Moore if the experienced striker is injured.
However, expect to see both Josh Windass and Moore continue their partnership at the top of the Wrexham side, leading the attack.
Arthur Okonkwo; Lewis Brunt, Dom Hyam, Max Cleworth; James McClean, Issa Kabore, Matty James, George Dobson, Lewis O’Brien; Josh Windass, Kieffer Moore