Wrexham were beaten by Sydney FC on Tuesday morning, but Phil Parkinson will be more concerned about Ollie Rathbone’s injury.
Wrexham’s pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand continues, but Tuesday was a testing day for Phil Parkinson and co.
Sydney FC beat Wrexham 2-1 on Tuesday morning, despite Corey Holman’s own goal giving Wrexham a first-half lead.
Alexandar Popovic levelled it up for Sydney before Joe Lacey curled home the winner for the hosts.
Wrexham won’t be too disappointed with the defeat, as pre-season is predominantly about fitness.
The bigger concern will come around Ollie Rathbone, who was substituted with an injury in the first half.
Phil Parkinson on Ollie Rathbone injury concern
Parkinson confirmed that Rathbone was taken straight to hospital for an X-ray after suffering an ankle problem.
Wrexham fans will certainly fear a lengthy lay-off for Rathbone, which would be an enormous blow.
Rathbone joined Wrexham from Rotherham United last summer and became a driving force in Parkinson’s most recent promotion success.
Rathbone bagged eight goals from midfield in a brilliant season, and he will be desperate to make an impact in the Championship.
Wrexham players are understandably concerned about Rathbone, with Parkinson now commenting on the mood in the dressing room.
Speaking on Wrexham’s official YouTube channel, Parkinson admitted that the dressing room was ‘quiet’ as Rathbone’s teammates showed their concern.
Parkinson noted that the incident didn’t actually look that bad at first, but it quickly became clear that Rathbone needed to go straight to hospital.
“Ollie’s had to go to the hospital for an X-ray,” said Parkinson.
“It’s a very quiet dressing room in there, because we’re concerned about Ollie. It didn’t look that bad an incident when it happened, but it swelled up instantly in the dressing room.
“Kev [Mulholland, Wrexham physio] has gone with him to the hospital and, yeah, we’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed,” he added.
Wrexham midfield pursuit may now ramp up
Wrexham will hope for the all-clear over Rathbone, especially with another pre-season game to come this weekend as Parkinson takes his side to face Wellington Phoenix.
Even if Rathbone hasn’t suffered a long-term injury, Parkinson may leave Rathbone out as a precautionary measure.
Any prolonged absence would be a major blow, and this injury scare may lead Wrexham to ramp up the pursuit of a new midfielder.
Tom Cairney is staying at Fulham, and Wrexham missed out on Tommy Doyle, as he joined Birmingham City instead.
Lewis O’Brien appears to be Wrexham’s top target in a club-record deal, though wages for the Nottingham Forest misfit remain a concern.
Wrexham would have ideally wanted to bring in a new midfielder to play alongside Rathbone, but may have to wait on that front following his injury blow.