Wrexham have started the League One season well but Phil Parkinson is now hitting injury problems, especially in the final third.
After 12 games, Wrexham sit second in the League One table.
Wrexham have been beaten just twice and one of those defeats came against big-spending Birmingham City.
This has been a fine start to life in League One but Wrexham have been hit with a double blow in the final third.
Jack Marriott is set for four months out through injury and Steven Fletcher is now facing a lay-off of his own.
Wrexham have gone from five first-team strikers battling it out to three forwards facing carrying the workload for the coming weeks and months.
- READ MORE: Phil Parkinson confirms Wrexham suffered fresh injury blow before Huddersfield Town clash
Martyn Waghorn an option for Wrexham
Phil Parkinson didn’t want a free agent a few days ago but Fletcher’s injury means he is ready to perform a U-turn.
There aren’t many options out there and Wrexham fans may need to temper expectations over any incoming.
Another Paul Mullin just isn’t out there on a free transfer and Wrexham will have to look at strikers who haven’t kicked a ball competitively since last season.
Wrexham will surely look to add experience after losing Marriott and Fletcher and Martyn Waghorn could fit the bill.
Waghorn is a free agent after leaving Derby County at the end of last season and would surely jump at the chance to join Wrexham.
The 34-year-old has been all over the place in his career, starting with Sunderland before turning out for the likes of Leicester City, Wigan Athletic, Rangers, Ipswich Town and Coventry City.
One of the major selling points with Waghorn is that he played in League One last season and still managed to score seven goals in 24 games.
That is a more than decent record and Waghorn’s recent record in League One – even at 34 – may lend itself towards being the instant impact Wrexham are seeking.
Another layer here is that Waghorn and Parkinson have actually worked together already.
Parkinson coached Waghorn during a loan spell at Charlton Athletic back in the 2008-09 season.
Waghorn only scored once in six games under Parkinson but that prior relationship may tempt Wrexham into a deal.
Parkinson wanted Waghorn at Bolton Wanderers
Parkinson praised Waghorn during their time together in South London, telling BBC Sport that he loved the striker’s attitude and work ethic.
“His attitude alone will get him a good career in this game: not only has he got a good attitude and work ethic, he’s got great ability as well,” said Parkinson.
Parkinson was seemingly so impressed with Waghorn that he wanted to sign him for Bolton Wanderers – some 10 years after working together at Charlton.
The Scottish Sun reported in 2018 that Parkinson had Waghorn ‘firmly in his sights’ at Bolton but no deal was done.
If Wrexham need a short-term option in attack, signing a forward who scored goals in League One last season and has familiarity with Parkinson would be pretty much ideal in this situation.
Waghorn ticks both boxes and Parkinson will surely be tempted by a potential reunion after Fletcher’s injury blow.