Phil Parkinson’s comments ahead of Wrexham’s meeting with Mansfield Town suggest a player could get his first League One start.
Wrexham travel to Mansfield Town for a League One fixture on Sunday afternoon, looking to bounce back from a dire showing last time out.
Phil Parkinson was slammed by fans after they endured a nightmare defeat against Leyton Orient on Tuesday, producing some of their worst football all season.
That loss saw the Red Dragons move five points adrift of the automatic promotion places prior to the weekend’s action getting underway.
Wrexham’s record against Mansfield is a concerning one but supporters should take solace in the fact that The Stags are the most out-of-form side in League One right now.
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Ryan Longman now likely to start for Wrexham vs Mansfield Town
Ahead of the game, meanwhile, Parkinson has shared an update that likely means we will see one player given his first league start of the season.
The Wrexham boss provided a brief team news update ahead of Mansfield, in which he confirmed James McClean has a problem.
He said: “James McClean has got a problem with his hip and had it scanned yesterday so we will assess him tomorrow.
“We’ve got a great group and there’s players that are ready to step up if required.”
With McClean now likely to miss Sunday’s fixture, we could see Ryan Longman handed his first start in League One.
Longman has excelled for Wrexham in the EFL Trophy as a starter but has been a fringe option in the league until this point.
However, as he can play on the left flank as well, it’s likely the former Hull City ace will have to step up ahead of the must-win tie with Mansfield.
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Phil Parkinson shares Elliot Lee update
Elliot Lee was involved in an accident recently and missed the midweek defeat to Leyton Orient as a result.
Thankfully, Parkinson gave a positive update on Lee this week, confirming he’s back on the grass.
He said: “We’ve had a good morning and I’m very pleased with how the lads have trained. There was a focus in the group, and we’ve spoken to them about how everyone has to be ready.
“Elliot Lee was back on the grass running this morning which was fantastic to see. It’s been a great lift for everyone to see him back out there.