Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has given little away about his plans for the January transfer window but admits he is looking for improvement in his squad.
On Monday, it was announced that Luke Armstrong, who’s move to the Red Dragons famously failed on transfer deadline day, would join League One outfit Carlisle United.
Armstrong had been one of Wrexham’s top transfer targets in the summer having impressed for Harrogate over the last two years, however the Welsh side will now not have a second bite of the cherry, with the striker joining the Cumbrians.
It came as somewhat of a surprise given the circumstances, and with the move being completed, there are now plenty of questions regarding Wrexham’s plans for the January window.
Parkinson’s side currently sit in third place in League Two, just six points off of table-toppers Stockport County with a game in hand. That is exactly where many predicted them to be, having been promoted after winning the National League last season. They’re very much now, just like the start of the season, fixated on anything less than promotion being deemed as a failure.
Although they may already have one of the strongest squads in the fourth tier they do also have one of if not the highest budget which Parkinson will no doubt be allowed to play with in January.
An overhaul is by no means needed but a couple of strong additions in January would not go amiss. This was something that the manager eluded to in an interview with The Leader, although he did not give much away regarding his transfer plans,
“I don’t want to make any predictions for January in terms of incoming players.
“We have got a strong squad but we are always looking.
“As our supporters know, we are always striving to improve and we are assessing a lot of situations at the moment but we are keeping our cards close to our chest.”
Wrexham already in fact have over the 22-man squad size that the EFL have limited which has led to three players, Bryce Hosannah, Callum McFadezan and Billy Waters not being able to appear in League Two this season thus far.
As a result, January may also see quite a few names depart the Racecourse Ground which would free up spaces in the squad for new signings.
“We are just assessing the squad as we go along.
“We have got players coming back from injury and we have got other players who haven’t even been in the 22-man squad so once January 1 kicks-in, we can then bring those players back into the squad because the 22-man squad rule doesn’t count through January.
“We are just seeing how Fletch (Darren Fletcher) is, seeing how Barney (Ryan Barnett) looks coming back and just looking at various options for the month of January.
Writer’s View
It comes as no surprise to see Parkinson keeping the cards close to his chest after being left somewhat embarrassed by the whole Luke Armstrong situation. Although they might be in the automatic places currently, there are a whole host of clubs breathing down their necks behind.
Improvements might not be necessary but given the budget, Wrexham will almost certainly be active in January and getting the right players in the building could propel them to a serious title charge.
Senior Editor
