Phil Parkinson: Manager says Wrexham quartet are closing in on return from injury

Having played five matches in 15 days after Christmas, including extra-time and penalties against Forest, Parkinson has been eager to rotate his squad where possible.

He believes midfielder James and central defender Cleworth will both have benefitted from missing the FA Cup win over Sean Dyche’s side.

“Max and Matty needed that break,” added Parkinson.

“Matty had an injection in his back on Friday. Max has been carrying on with a problem in his tendon for a while and we needed to use the cup game to take him out of the firing line. He’s trained today and he looked good.”

Sam Smith netted in Wrexham’s away wins against Blackburn Rovers and Derby County during top scorer Moore’s time on the sidelines.

But Parkinson feels keeping the Wales international out of the Forest fixture will have benefited him going into the club’s final 20 league games of the campaign.

“Kieffer, I think if we’d had a couple of days, the weather wouldn’t have been so bad leading up to the Nottingham Forest game and we’d had a couple more days on the grass, he’d have probably been close to at least being on the bench,” explained Parkinson.

“But that’s given us the opportunity to work with him on the training pitch this week. He comes back into the group refreshed, and I think that’s important for us.”

Kabore – who has not featured for Wrexham since their 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic on 8 November – is expected to be available soon, potentially for Saturday’s home league fixture with Norwich City (15:00 GMT).

“Issa’s had his minutes away at the back end of the Afcon,” said Parkinson.

“He needs, this week, training to see where he is. But his character is there for all to see. He’s chomping at the bit.”