Wrexham’s pre-season tour took a downward turn this week with defeat to Sydney FC, and an injury to key man Ollie Rathbone.
Obviously, there are many positives to come from Wrexham’s pre-season tour in Australia and New Zealand. The players are getting prepared for a new campaign, fans from the other side of the world get to see their heroes, and the club makes a lot of money, too.
However, as with any club, friendlies also run the risk of injuries being sustained, and Ollie Rathbone limping off on Tuesday was not a good sign for the Red Dragons.
Phil Parkinson said Rathbone would go for an x-ray straight after the game, and while the extent of the damage is still unknown, it must surely leave Wrexham scrambling for reinforcements in the middle of the park.
With this in mind, here are three players Parkinson must consider as part of his shopping list for the summer.
- READ MORE: Phil Parkinson shares the feeling inside Wrexham dressing room after Sydney FC injury blow
Three players that can solve Wrexham’s Ollie Rathbone dilemma
Jamie Donley
Pretty much every team in the Championship will be queuing up to take Jamie Donley off Tottenham Hotspur’s hands for the season after his impressive loan spell in League One last season.
Donley was top of the assists chart for Leyton Orient and is now ready to step up and prove himself in the second tier.
He plays a very similar role to Rathbone, providing creativity and flair in that pocket of space behind the front men.
The bonus of taking Donley on loan, of course, is that Wrexham receive top-quality cover for Rathbone without any long-term commitment.
Charlie Savage
Wrexham have been linked with Charlie Savage in the past, and he’s yet another player the Red Dragons know all about from last season.
Savage played a starring role for Reading as the Royals narrowly missed out on the play-off places, and now looks ready to take his game up a notch and play in the Championship.
He would be a quality signing regardless of Rathbone’s injury, and while he could cost a couple of million, Savage would be a great investment for the future.
Wrexham won’t be the only ones looking at the young Welshman, but a move to his homeland does make a lot of sense.
Marcelino Nunez
A name Wrexham have not been linked with at all so far, but someone they should definitely consider, is Marcelino Nunez at Norwich City.
The Chilean is an industrious, dynamic, and creative midfielder who has genuine international pedigree. Suffice it to say, Nunez would raise the game for Wrexham if they’re willing to be ambitious enough to snap him up.
Nunez’s contract at Norwich expires next summer, and with talk of a new midfielder arriving at Carrow Road soon, the Canaries could look to cash in on Nunez while they still can.