Opinion

Phil Parkinson could offer Wrexham surprise ahead of QPR clash, but it would come at a cost

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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson could hand one Red Dragons star his debut, but it would lead to the unpopular decision to drop one stalwart.

The Championship is back underway following the international break, and Wrexham will welcome QPR to the Racecourse Ground, with both teams hoping to notch a second successive win.

Phil Parkinson will hope that the international break has not hampered Wrexham’s momentum after beating Millwall two weeks ago.

Now that the summer transfer window has concluded, Wrexham boss Parkinson has 14 new faces in camp compared to the beginning of summer, including five who still await their anticipated Red Dragons debut.

With two weeks of training now concluded during the international break, Parkinson could hand out a number of debuts this weekend, including for one big Wrexham signing, but it may not go down well with the fans.

Dom Hyam of Blackburn Rovers pulls the shirt of Aune Heggebo of West Bromwich Albion
Photo by Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson could hand Dom Hyam his debut vs QPR

A large number of the Wrexham players still awaiting their chance to play have fitness concerns, including Ben Sheaf who has only managed seven minutes of Championship football this season for Coventry City before his move.

However, one player who is eager and raring to get going at Wrexham is Dom Hyam, having played every minute for Blackburn Rovers until his deadline day switch to North Wales.

The Wrexham centre-back has no fitness concerns going into the contest with QPR, and could be handed a debut from the start.

With 210 appearances in the Championship for both Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City, it is no surprise that Phil Parkinson was keen to bring Hyam to the club as one of his many recruits with vast experience of the second tier.

Max Cleworth of Wrexham AFC looks on
Photo by Pieter van der Woude/BSR Agency/Getty Images

Dom Hyam inclusion could have negative side effects for Wrexham favourite Max Cleworth

If Phil Parkinson was to turn towards Dom Hyam for the clash against QPR, the Wrexham boss would have to drop one of his trusty centre-backs.

Unfortunately, out of Conor Coady, Lewis Brunt, and Max Cleworth, Parkinson would be most likely to drop the latter to make way for Hyam.

After a bright start to life at Championship level, where it is clear that Cleworth can shine, the potential decision of Parkinson to drop him in favour of the new recruit would not go down well with the fanbase.

Cleworth has been a mainstay at Wrexham since Parkinson took over, and supporters will not want his potential to be hampered by becoming a back-up defender.