Wrexham are into the next round of the EFL Trophy but Phil Parkinson’s latest victory may leave Sky Sports in something of a pickle.
Wrexham’s primary focus is League One and Saturday’s 1-0 win at Burton Albion was a big victory for Phil Parkinson.
Wrexham battled testing conditions at the Pirelli Stadium but were back at the STōK Cae Ras for an EFL Trophy clash on Tuesday night.
This competition may have taken greater importance after Wrexham’s first-round exit in the FA Cup, with a Wembley final up for grabs.
Wrexham progressed past Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night as Aaron James headed home the winner from Paul Mullin’s cross.
A rather unlikely match-winner, James was praised by Parkinson for his performance as Wrexham moved another step closer to Wembley.
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Wrexham fixtures may require a reshuffle
Wrexham will found out the opponents in the next round on Saturday, but there is already a potential problem.
The next round of EFL Trophy fixtures is set to take place on the week commencing January 13.
That would be all well and good but Wrexham have only just had a fixture moved to January 16.
Sky Sports recently announced that five Wrexham games have been rescheduled for live coverage, either by date or time.
The away trip to Shrewsbury Town was supposed to be on Saturday, January 18, but has instead been moved to the Thursday night, January 16.
Wrexham surely won’t be asked to play on January 14, the Tuesday night, to then return to League One action just 48 hours later.
Sky are unlikely to push the Shrewsbury game back to its original date having only recently moved it for their coverage.
Bradford City’s recent EFL Trophy game with Rotherham United was moved a week later for Sky coverage, but that wouldn’t work for Wrexham either.
Wrexham’s home clash with Birmingham City has been moved too, and that will also take place on a Thursday, January 23.
The EFL, Sky and Wrexham will no doubt attempt to thrash this situation out and lock in a new date for Wrexham’s next EFL Trophy clash, which becomes so tricky with the quarter finals taking place in the week commencing February 3.
There isn’t much wiggle room here given Wrexham’s recent fixture changes, but hopefully we learn more when the draw is made this weekend.
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Who can Wrexham draw in the next round?
Wrexham have progressed in the Northern section of the EFL Trophy and will remain in that regionalised format for the Round of 16 and the quarter finals.
Once the EFL Trophy reaches the semi-finals, it’s an open draw – meaning Wrexham could draw a team from the Southern side.
For now, the focus is on the Northern section with with other teams already through to join Wrexham in the Round of 16.
Chesterfield, Port Vale, Lincoln City, Rotherham United, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers are all through after winning their ties on Tuesday night.
The only remaining tie comes next Tuesday as Blackpool host the Aston Villa Under-21’s for a spot in the next round.
Three League One and three League Two sides are joining Wrexham and many may now view Wrexham as favourites on this side of the draw.