Wrexham return to League One action this weekend as Phil Parkinson looks to take down former club Charlton Athletic.
This will, hopefully, be Wrexham’s final home game of the 2024-25 League One season.
There is the lingering threat of dropping into the play-offs, but Wrexham are going for automatic promotion.
Wrexham’s 2-1 victory over Blackpool on Monday afternoon leaves Phil Parkinson sitting second in League One, two points ahead of Wycombe Wanderers.
Wrexham could clinch a third straight promotion this weekend, but the clash with Charlton will be a tough one.
Charlton hammered Wycombe Wanderers on Monday and could still claim second place themselves if all results go their way.
Why Charlton Athletic sold Eoghan O’Connell to Wrexham
The game sees Parkinson take on Charlton some 14 years after they sacked him – despite sitting fifth in the League One table.
Parkinson doesn’t really strike us as somebody with revenge on his mind, but moving a step closer to the Championship with a win over the Addicks would be sweet.
Former Charlton midfielder George Dobson will be in action for Wrexham, whilst defender Eoghan O’Connell could also face his former club.
O’Connell joined Charlton from Rochdale in the summer of 2022 but was allowed to leave for Wrexham just six months later.
The Irishman managed 19 League One appearances for Charlton but was offloaded to Wrexham just a month into Dean Holden’s reign as manager.
Holden told Charlton’s official website that he felt comfortable with Michael Hector and Lucas Ness emerging as centre back options, meaning O’Connell wanted first-team football.
Holden noted that Wrexham offered ‘great financial reward’, luring O’Connell from League One to the National League.
The then-Charlton boss praised O’Connell as a ‘really good character’ and a ‘top professional’, wishing him all the best as he departed for Wrexham.
“When I walked into the club centre-half was an area I wanted to look at,” said Holden.
“We’ve been able to bring in some real quality and experience in the form of Michael Hector and I have also been really pleased at the emergence of Lucas Ness, as well as what I have seen from the other young defenders.
“Eoghan wants to be playing every week and the move provides him with a longer-term deal with great financial reward, as well as the regular football he craves. Given the lack of first team opportunities he was likely to get here, and the fee involved, it makes sense for us as a football club. He’s a really good character and a top professional and we wish him the best for the future,” he added.
Eoghan O’Connell battling to feature against Charlton
More than two years on from O’Connell’s arrival, the defender has become a key part of Parkinson’s side.
The former Celtic man has been a virtual mainstay this season and could secure a third promotion in a row.
O’Connell would surely love to play against Charlton this weekend, but his place in the heart of defence is facing some competition.
Wrexham fans hailed Dan Scarr as he turned in a superb performance against Blackpool on Monday.
Scarr deputised for O’Connell after he picked up a knock against Bristol Rovers last week.
Parkinson faces a tough call on which centre back to select this weekend, but you can be sure that O’Connell be ready and raring to go if called upon.