It is time to get excited for Wrexham fans as the club’s first action of the 2025-26 season is upon us.
Wrexham face Melbourne Victory in their first pre-season clash of their tour down under and Phil Parkinson will be keen for his players to be tested ahead of the Championship campaign.
Fans are impressed with Wrexham’s new home shirt and the players will wear it for the game with the Australian outfit.
James McClean sent a strong message to the Wrexham squad over the expectations whilst on tour and the manager has just given a lifeline to players with their future in the balance.
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Phil Parkinson tells Ollie Palmer to make an ‘impact’ on Wrexham pre-season tour
Speaking to the Athletic, Parkinson has been keeping a diary of the club’s Australian tour and has given Wrexham’s out of favour players a lifeline as they begin their campaign.
Ollie Palmer has not featured for the Red Dragons since an EFL Trophy semi-final defeat back in February but is part of the travelling squad.
Parkinson stated: “The challenge for everyone on this trip, regardless of age or experience, is to make an impact.”
Palmer had been told to leave by Parkinson but the fact that the 33-year-old striker is with the group and ready to play, suggests he can still fight to be part of plans next season.
It would be an extraordinary U-turn from the manager, however, with Paul Mullin’s departure and Modou Faal’s injury, Palmer’s importance may just have been elevated.
Phil Parkinson uses Harry Ashfield to motivate Wrexham academy trio
As Parkinson mentioned, he is looking for an ‘impact’ from all around his squad and academy trio Max Purvis, Callum Edwards and Alex Moore are included in that statement.
Harry Ashfield was part of the club’s tour to North America last season and went on to make several first-team appearances with a new contract as a reward.
Parkinson explained: “Before flying out I spoke to the younger lads and explained how we’d taken Harry Ashfield with us to America for the last pre-season and how he’d gone on to become part of the first-team group.”
Their first opportunity to impress comes as the Red Dragons clash with Melbourne, before moving onto Sydney.