Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed that defender Max Cleworth’s ankle injury isn’t as severe as initially feared, but admits that losing both Cleworth and midfielder George Evans is a “huge blow” for the team.
The injuries come at a critical point in the season as Wrexham, currently second in League One, face a tough test ahead of their upcoming fixture against Northampton Town. Cleworth, who has been a standout performer this season and is the reigning Young Player of the Year, sustained ankle ligament damage in last Saturday’s goalless draw against Leyton Orient. While the full extent of the injury is still unclear, Parkinson remains hopeful that the 22-year-old won’t be sidelined for an extended period.
“I can’t put a time on it yet but it’s not as bad as we first feared,” Parkinson told the Leader Live. Cleworth’s absence was keenly felt on Tuesday night, as Wrexham fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Stevenage. The defender’s composure and presence at the back were missed as the Dragons conceded in a tightly contested match at The Lamex Stadium.
The injury woes didn’t end there for Wrexham, however. George Evans, who had just earned his place back in the starting line-up after an impressive cameo against Leyton Orient, was forced off the pitch before half-time with an injury. Parkinson expressed his frustration at seeing another key player head to the treatment room.
“It is such a shame for George because he has worked hard to get back in the team,” said Parkinson. “He felt something crack, I don’t know what it is, but it is a huge blow.”
Evans’ injury disrupted Wrexham’s plans for the match against Stevenage, forcing Parkinson to make an early tactical adjustment. Midfielder Andy Cannon was introduced as a substitute and, despite not being at his best in the previous game, made an immediate impact.
“We had to reorganise and settle everybody down at the break but I thought Andy Cannon came on and was outstanding,” Parkinson said. “He wasn’t at his best at the weekend but I thought he came on and made a big difference.”
With Cleworth and Evans both on the sidelines, Wrexham will need to reassess their squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with Northampton Town. The team have enjoyed a relatively injury-free campaign so far, but as Parkinson noted, “Now things have caught up with us a little bit with one or two injuries and other things.”
Despite the setbacks, Parkinson remains optimistic about Wrexham’s prospects as they look to bounce back and maintain their push for promotion. “We have just got to reassess after Stevenage and look forward to the weekend,” he added.
It also emerged that keeper Arthur Okonkwo was a major doubt for the recent game against Orient, but he played with illness, helping cover the Wrexham defence despite not being 100% fit. “Arthur had a bit of sickness the last couple of days, a few of the lads have had that,” said the former Bolton Wanderers boss. “But he wanted to play and that is what he is all about.”
Writer’s View
Wrexham’s recent injury setbacks couldn’t have come at a worse time for Phil Parkinson’s men. Max Cleworth’s absence, in particular, leaves a significant gap in defence, as his consistent performances have been vital in Wrexham’s strong start to the season. Although Parkinson is hopeful that Cleworth’s injury isn’t long-term, the uncertainty surrounding his return will be a concern, especially with challenging fixtures on the horizon.
Similarly, the loss of George Evans, who had been working his way back into the team, adds another layer of difficulty to Wrexham’s current situation. The positive, however, is Andy Cannon’s impressive impact off the bench, which provides some reassurance that Wrexham still have depth in midfield. Nonetheless, the next few weeks will test Wrexham’s resilience as they seek to maintain their position near the top of the League One table.
