Phil Parkinson has a number of squad options at Wrexham following what’s been an impressive summer transfer window.
So far this summer, Wrexham have signed 10 new players, and owners Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds have certainly splashed the cash, as many tipped them to do so following promotion from League One.
In total, Wrexham have now spent more than £30 million on new signings this summer. That includes the £10 million club record signing of Nathan Broadhead in the month, and then the £8 million signing of Callum Doyle last week.
Wrexham signed Doyle from Premier League giants Man City and he made his debut against Preston North End on Tuesday night.
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Callum Doyle makes Wrexham debut, it’s bad news for Lewis Brunt
Wrexham are winless in the Championship this season, but they’ve won both their opening two games in the Carabao Cup. First it was Hull City and then on Tuesday Wrexham came from behind to beat Preston 3-2 in the second round of the tournament, with Kieffer Moore coming off the bench to score his third goal of the season already.
Also featuring on Tuesday was Doyle, the 21-year-old slotted in on the left of the three centre-back positions, replacing Lewis Brunt in the line-up as many expected him to. In fact, after Doyle was signed, it was reported that Brunt was set to be axed from the Wrexham starting line-up in favour of Doyle.
Joining Wrexham from Leicester City in the summer of 2024, Brunt so far has 33 total appearances for the Dragons, and one goal.
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Phil Parkinson hails Callum Doyle after Wrexham debut
Against Preston, Doyle started in defence alongside Dan Scarr and Eoghan O’Connell. But in the league, with a full-strength side, it is expected that Doyle will pair with Conor Coady and Max Cleworth in the back-three.
Doyle certainly put in a strong performance against Preston, giving fans and manager Parkinson plenty of hope that he’ll prove a good signing for many years to come.
Speaking after the game, Parkinson gave his verdict on Doyle’s debut for Wrexham, saying: “The squad is getting to where we want it to be, and a special mention to Callum Doyle as well – I thought he was terrific for us,”
It’s great for Parkinson and for Wrexham to have such a quality player and good competition for places, but for Brunt it is certainly frustrating to now watch Doyle come in, take his position in the side and impress.
Doyle may well now have to play a rotational role for the club, but that’s just a side effect of the club’s rapid rise up the Football League.
Wrexham return to Championship action against Millwall on Saturday.