EFL preview: Wrexham seek to close gap during international break

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson will not be distracted by the hype over the League One promotion race as they head to face old rivals Stockport at Edgeley Park.

“It’s very difficult to predict,” Parkinson said. Just five points cover the sides from Wrexham in third down to Bolton in 10th in the third-tier standings.

“Barnsley suddenly appearing in fourth, there’s teams all the way down in 14th when you look at them and think they could be up there,” Parkinson added.

“Some people are looking at [leaders] Wycombe and thinking they’re a surprise package but they’re a team who were in the Championship not that long ago and are always up there in this division, so I’m not sure they’re a surprise.

“There’s so many teams that will be fancying their chances, but it’s still early in the season. We’ve just got to keep our heads down, concentrate on what we have to do.”

What they have to do is head to the sixth-placed Hatters, who could climb into the top four with a win. Wrexham would move within a point of leaders Wycombe if they come out on top.

Wrexham’s seven away games have featured only 12 goals in total, six for the Red Dragons and six against.

No team has a better defensive record on their travels, although they will be without keeper Arthur Okonkwo who has suffered a broken wrist.

Parkinson’s side are unbeaten in five and have taken 15 points from their past eight games, while County have only two wins in seven. Their two most recent home games have seen them lose 5-0 to Wycombe and beat Bolton by the same scoreline – coincidentally also the score the last time Wrexham visited the Hatters in September 2023.