As Wrexham continue their rise up the EFL, more and more players are falling out of favour.
We have already seen a massive squad overhaul from Phil Parkinson in 2025.
Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer, two of the club’s best performers in the past, were dropped in late January before being moved on this summer.
Another 18 players were let go in the most recent transfer window to make room for 13 new arrivals.
And it’s become clear that a three-time promotion winner will not be featuring in the league this season, and will likely be removed from the Championship squad in 2026.
- READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac could have to splash out £3m a year as FAW chief outlines Wrexham plan
Wrexham need room for Danny Ward in Championship squad
When the summer transfer window closed, Wrexham named a 24-man Championship squad.
That left room for one more player to be added this year, with Parkinson having to pick from Ollie Rathbone, Jay Rodriguez, Andy Cannon or Danny Ward.
Parkinson has said Rathbone will return for Wrexham, and the midfielder has been travelling with the squad in recent weeks after suffering a pre-season injury.
In turn, there will be zero room left in the team come 2026 for Ward after his own lengthy injury lay-off.
Parkinson picked Ward as his number one at the start of the season, so it seems obvious he will want the Welshman back for the second half of the campaign.
Back-up goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has struggled in the Championship and let in another questionable goal against Leicester City.
That means, even without a single January signing, one of the current players registered in the team will need to be dropped after the winter transfer window closes.
- READ MORE: Released Wrexham man rivalling Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer for goals and he isn’t even a striker
Phil Parkinson isn’t playing Elliot Lee in Championship
Looking at the current group of players available in each position, Elliot Lee seems the most likely option to make way.
Lee was allowed to leave Wrexham during the summer window, but a move didn’t transpire.
Now, after starting the season on the bench, the 30-year-old has been completely omitted from the Dragons’ last four Championship matchday squads.
Lee has been part of all three recent Wrexham promotions, scoring 40 and assisting 11.
But it’s become clear Parkinson now views the attacking midfielder as a fringe option who is not needed in the second tier.
It’s another blow for Wrexham fans, who are getting used to seeing their favourite players fall out of favour, but that’s the price that must be paid for such rapid success.