Wrexham can look forward to knockout football in the EFL Trophy after finishing top of Group B with a 1-1 draw at Port Vale.
Wrexham picked up a crucial home win over Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon, securing a 1-0 victory over the Stags.
Phil Parkinson’s main focus will be League One action but the EFL Trophy clash with Port Vale handed him a chance to change up his squad.
Parkinson planned 11 changes to the Wrexham side but Will Boyle’s injury in the warm-up prompted a late change.
In came Max Cleworth and he popped up with the opening goal before Port Vale found a leveller late in the day.
EFL Trophy rules mean that a draw goes to penalties and Wrexham were beaten on spot kicks, but it made no difference to the table.
Phil Parkinson on Matty James display
Wrexham go through top of the group with seven points from three games, coasting into the next round.
Going through as group winners means that Wrexham have secured a home tie in the next round.
Wrexham’s potential opponents include Tranmere Rovers, Wigan Athletic and the Aston Villa Under-21’s.
This competition will now serve as an ideal platform for fringe players to gain match sharpness and new signing Matty James is a prime example.
Former Bristol City man James recently joined Wrexham on a free transfer, arriving following an injury to Wrexham midfielder George Evans.
This was a first appearance in a Wrexham shirt for James and the 33-year-old certainly appears to have impressed Parkinson.
Speaking on Wrexham’s official YouTube channel, Parkinson gave a fairly simple verdict on how James performed.
Parkinson praised the ‘great control’ James provides in the middle of the pitch with his experience proving vital in the engine room.
“Matty James… great control in the middle of the pitch,” said Parkinson.
James can make huge Wrexham impact
Wrexham have only given James a contract until January but the busy festive period is just around the corner now.
The games will be coming thick and fast and Wrexham will need a squad of players to call upon.
James is a proven Championship player and, once up to speed, he should be able to make a big impact in League One too.
James will still be finding his feet having not played a competitive game since the end of last season, but he has been training with Leicester City.
The veteran showed some of his quality against Port Vale and we should see him thrive in League One when the chance arrives.