Wrexham

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Wrexham's Bailey Cadamarteri struck the only goal of the match as Jamaica beat New Caledonia in their World Cup play-off semi-final fixture.

The 20-year-old netted in the 18th minute in Guadalajara to ensure the Reggae Boyz progressed into the final - where they will meet Congo DR on Tuesday, 31 March.

Cadamarteri has made three substitute appearances since joining Wrexham from Sheffield Wednesday on transfer deadline day.

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Wrexham's Harry Ashfield has been called up to the Wales Under-21s squad for their 2027 European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Belarus and Denmark.

The 20-year-old - currently on loan at Cheltenham Town - scored his first senior goal for Wrexham in a 3-2 League Cup win at Preston North End in August.

He went on to make his first senior league appearance for the Red Dragons in a 2-0 triumph over Blackburn Rovers on 1 January before joining League Two Cheltenham on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Ashfield has made nine appearances for the Robins, scoring one goal.

Wales' U21s take on Belarus at Rodney Parade on Friday, 27 March (17:30 GMT) before an away fixture against Denmark on Tuesday, 31 March (17:00 BST).

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Former Swansea City midfielder Owain Tudur Jones says Wrexham are "in the mix" and "strongly" believes that they will finish in the Championship play-off spots this season.

The Red Dragons maintained their push for promotion with a 2-1 triumph at Sheffield United on Saturday, a result that leaves them in seventh place on 63 points, behind Southampton who sit sixth, on goal difference.

"They know that other teams are in the hunt," said the former Wales international.

"So now it's just about clinging on, it's about making sure you show that character that is there in abundance."

Following the international break Wrexham will return to action against West Bromwich Albion on Friday, 3 April while promotion-chasing Hull City, who sit three points above Wrexham in fourth place, host strugglers Oxford United.

Jones feels that "getting rid" of the draws has been key to the Tigers' success.

"That might mean that you lose a couple of games, but these last four games, maybe they draw four you have four points, by winning two and losing two you have six."

The midfielder compared the turnaround to the 2008-09 Championship season at Swansea City. Jones was among those under Roberto Martinez as the Swans narrowly missed out on the play-offs on their return to the second tier.

"We as players didn't believe for the first two months, [Martinez] kept saying 'we are good enough to be promoted' honestly, the lads were looking at each other thinking 'he's in dreamland'.

"It took probably about six to eight weeks in to that first season for us to believe so there were a load of draws and right at the end we just missed out on the play-offs. That seems to have clicked with Wrexham sooner in the season."

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Sam Smith says he has "no idea" how fellow forward Josh Windass is able to refrain from celebrating when he scores.

Smith found Windass, who slotted home Wrexham's equaliser before Smith scored the winner in their 2-1 triumph at Sheffield United on Saturday.

The victory maintained the Dragons' promotion push as they hit back after Andre Brooks put the hosts ahead.

Windass levelled, but left Smith pondering the scorer's response.

"Honestly, I have no idea how he does it," said Smith. "I couldn't even remember what happened when I scored, but it probably shows his composure compared to mine."

Smith said the win was "massive" after losing at Watford in midweek as they head into the international break.

"We were all disappointed after the Watford game. The manager said it in the changing room at half time. He said 'just leave it all out there. We've got a break coming up. We've had a long period. And just don't regret the opportunity'.

"And the lads dug deep and they have come away with the three points. It's a difficult place to come. They had a lot of spells with the ball, and we were quite deep at times, leaving me isolated.

"So I just had to make sure I ran the channels and tried to cause as much problems as possible, and if you get an opportunity, you have to take it. So luckily, I did that."

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Zak Vyner feels Wrexham's contest with Sheffield United will give the Red Dragons the chance to put things right following their 3-1 loss to Watford.

Phil Parkinson's men were replaced in the Championship's top six by Southampton who beat Norwich City just 24 hours after Wrexham's defeat by the Hornets.

They return to action against the Blades at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT) in what will be the club's final match before the March international break.

"It's going to be a good game, it's always going to be a tough game at their place," Vyner said.

"It's going to be a physical battle as it always is against any Chris Wilder team with a bit of quality as well.

"They're a really good team, a really good side. The start of this season was probably not typical of them and they're kind of back to where they would say they want to be, I guess.

"I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be a good place for us to use the positives from the other day and put it right."

Kieffer Moore, Liberato Cacace, Matty James and Ben Sheaf are all unavailable to face the Blades.

Midfielder George Dobson is eligible to feature having served a three-game suspension.

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Chris Wilder says Phil Parkinson has assembled a "really good team" as his Sheffield United side prepare to face Wrexham this weekend.

The Blades currently sit 15th in the Championship, 10 points adrift of the seventh-placed Red Dragons who are only out of the play-off places on goal difference.

Before the meeting of the sides at Bramall Lane on Saturday (15:00 GMT), Wilder was keen to praise his former Southampton academy team-mate Parkinson for the job he has done since taking charge of Wrexham in 2021.

"No matter what goes on at Wrexham, and there's a lot of noise in terms of the progression of the football club and the story that goes behind everything, but they've still got to win games of football," Wilder said in a press conference.

"Phil, from his point of view, he's assembled a really good team. To win consistently is all credit to him and [assistant coach] Steve Parkin and the coaching staff in getting it right off the pitch as well.

"If we don't meet the fight head on and we don't compete physically, then this becomes a really difficult game. We understand the challenges ahead of us, we understand their record and the players they've got."

Only Millwall and Norwich City have amassed more than Wrexham's total of 32 points since Parkinson's team came from 3-1 down to beat the Blades 5-3 in north Wales on 26 December.

And Wilder says his side must be significantly better than they were at Stok Cae Ras if they are to secure a positive result this time around.

"It was a really disappointing afternoon for us on Boxing Day," added Wilder.

"I don't think we did ourselves any favours with the goals we conceded. We got outfought and outrun which, for me, wasn't acceptable on the afternoon, and I made my feelings clear to the players.

"They (Wrexham) deserve their position in the division through what they've done, especially the run they've been on since they played us. They're a formidable opponent that we've got to try and overcome."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham have utilised George Dobson's suspension to get the midfielder in "the best possible shape" for his return to action this weekend.

Dobson missed his side's Championship fixtures against Hull City, Swansea City and Watford as a result of the red card he received in the 4-2 FA Cup fifth round loss to Chelsea at Stok Cae Ras on 7 March.

But he is in contention to feature as the Red Dragons play their final match before the international break against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"It's good to get Dobbo back, he's had a decent week's training," said the Wrexham manager.

"He didn't travel down with us (to Watford), he stayed up here and trained.

"We've been working towards George being in the best possible shape to be available for this weekend."

The positive from Dobson's time on the sidelines was that it afforded the midfielder the opportunity to allow a hand injury to recover.

"He was playing with a pin inserted into his hand when he had a fracture," Parkinson said of the 28-year-old's issue.

"He played incredibly in the Chelsea game with that and did so well. It's given that particular injury time to heal."

Jobi McAnuff believes just five teams are fighting it out for two Championship play-off spots.

In the latest edition of the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast, Aaron Paul and McAnuff were joined by AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson discuss the top stories from the EFL.

Watford's 3-1 win over Wrexham on Tuesday opened the door for Southampton to take over the Welsh side's top-six spot - and they did so, winning 1-0 against Norwich on Wednesday.

Watford are ninth, five points behind the Saints with eight games to go, while Birmingham are a further two points behind in 10th.

McAnuff said: "Watford are still in the mix. I feel like seven points feels a bit too big at this stage of the season. Birmingham feels a little far away.

"Southampton are the ones I believed would come through and get a play-off place.

"A couple of weeks ago I'd have said there's only one place up for grabs (sixth). That's changed now, (fifth-placed) Hull have been really inconsistent so they have been brought into it a lot more.

"You've got Easter coming up, six points can go in a week. You have a quick turnaround. If you can put a run of games together you can really jump up four or five places in the space of a few days. Anyone down to Watford (can make it), Birmingham feels a little too far away at this stage."

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Sam Vokes reckons Wrexham have become a "scalp" for rival Championship sides despite the fact that they were playing National League football only three years ago.

Watford's win over the Red Dragons on Tuesday prompted significant celebrations among the home contingent at Vicarage Road.

Wales international Vokes says Wrexham's success under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac – formerly McElhenney – has made them a club others love to beat.

"When someone is doing well you are a scalp and it's about dealing with that expectation now," Vokes told this week's Feast of Football podcast.

"Wrexham were an underdog for many years – [although they have] always been a big club – but now they are that scalp. Teams will add that extra 10%."

Vokes pointed to Wrexham's victory over Swansea City last Friday, which attracted additional attention because Reynolds and Mac did a turn as commentators on Sky Sports' coverage of the fixture.

"Every game is being filmed - there's a documentary, TV crews," he added.

"You have only got to look at the Swansea game. There wasn't much talk about Swansea on Friday night, all the talk was about the commentators in the stands.

"I am more than 100% sure that when Wrexham come to town, it is a scalp for any team."

Having slipped out of the Championship play-off places following Southampton's win over Norwich City on Wednesday, Wrexham will look to respond when they go to Sheffield United on Saturday.

They then face a third straight away game, at lowly West Brom, before returning home to face the Saints on Tuesday, 7 April.

Vokes says Phil Parkinson's team should target at least four points from their next two fixtures before the "huge game" against in-form Southampton.

"It's well within their hands," he said.

"It is within their grasp to attack the next eight games and get in the play-offs."

Wrexham will be aiming to reclaim their place in the top six as they make the trip to Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Red Dragons were displaced in the sixth spot by Southampton in the midweek after the Welsh side failed to guarantee their place with a 3-1 loss to Watford.

But the Blades are without a win across their past three league games (D2 L1) and will be hoping to get back to winning ways before they are cut off in the midtable.

• Sheffield United are hosting Wrexham in the league for the first time since October 1982, a 2-0 win in the third tier under Ian Porterfield.

• Wrexham average 2.8 goals per game against Sheffield United in the league (14 in 5 games), although 13 of the 14 goals they've scored against them have been at home.

• Sheffield United are winless in their last three Championship games (D2 L1) and could equal their longest winless run since Chris Wilder's return to the club last September (4 between October-November last year).

• Wrexham are unbeaten against Sheffield clubs in the Championship this season (W2 D1) and will be looking to do the league double over Sheffield United for the first time (won 5-3 in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day).

• Sheffield United have won 50% of their games and averaged 1.9 goals per game when Patrick Bamford has started for them in the Championship this season, compared to a 33% win rate and 1.1 goals per game when he hasn't been in the starting XI.

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Phil Parkinson says Matty James is still "a couple of weeks away" from a return to action as Wrexham welcome George Dobson back into their squad this weekend.

James has been absent since early February due to a toe injury while Dobson has missed his side's past three games due to suspension following a red card against Chelsea.

But Dobson is in contention to feature against Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 GMT), although Parkinson praised January signing Zak Vyner for the role he has played in midfield of late.

"We've been short on bodies in that midfield, the harshness of the Dobbo decision," said the Wrexham boss.

"As much as everybody was on a bit of a high after the Chelsea game because of the performance, myself and the staff knew that it was another man down, but Zak has grown into the role as well.

"I think it's key to mention him again tonight and Dobbo gives us another option now."

James' return was delayed after he suffered a setback during his recovery and Parkinson remains unsure as to whether or not the 34-year-old will be available for Wrexham's trip to West Bromwich Albion after the international break on 3 April (15:00 GMT).

"Matty is still a couple of weeks away, obviously he's not going to be available for the weekend and he's still got the boot on," said Parkinson.

"We're just hoping the healing speeds up a bit and we can get him back out there as soon as possible.

"He's gone on a long period now without training or not being able to run. He's doing everything he can in the gym to get fit."

The Red Dragons take on Sheffield United this weekend in what will be their final game before the March international break.

Wrexham have typically responded well after losses during Parkinson's reign as manager and the manager says he will closely monitor the fitness of his players as his side look to get back on track following a 3-1 loss to Watford on Tuesday night.

"It's time to dust ourselves down, it's just about concentration levels on what we need to do at Bramall Lane," added Parkinson.

"It's a great opportunity for us to get back to winning ways before the international break.

"Dobbo comes back into the frame and gives us another option in that midfield.

"We'll look at everybody closely in these next couple of days and pick the team which is ready to go again."

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Former Wrexham captain Ben Tozer feels the Red Dragons must look forward and not back as they remain in pursuit of a Championship play-off place.

Phil Parkinson's men were beaten 3-1 by Watford on Tuesday, leaving them just three points clear of seventh-placed Southampton who have a game in hand.

"They've just got to look ahead and make sure they're looking up rather than behind them," ex-defender Tozer told BBC Radio Wales.

"The second you start looking over your shoulder and start worrying about what's behind you, you start to take your eye off what's really possible and what the potential is."

Wrexham were off the pace in the first half at Vicarage Road and fell two goals behind as Marc Bola and Edo Kayembe netted from counter-attacks.

The Welsh side improved significantly after the restart and made it 2-1 when Max Cleworth nodded Ollie Rathbone's corner into the net.

But Wrexham conceded another breakaway goal in the final minutes of the match through Edoardo Bove as their six-game unbeaten run away from home was brought to an end.

"In the first half, Sam Smith was probably a little bit too isolated," Tozer said.

"At half-time, he (Parkinson) brought on Josh Windass to go up top with him and occupy the two defenders a bit more. They got a lot of joy from it.

"Unfortunately it wasn't their night, but you know what they do every time, they always seem to bounce back with a good performance. Hopefully they'll get a result to back that up on Saturday."

Wrexham play one more match before the March international break as they take on Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

And Tozer expects Parkinson - who will have midfielder George Dobson back from suspension - to make changes at Bramall Lane.

"Watford made four changes from the weekend and Wrexham had the extra half a day of recovery and you start to think maybe they don't need to make as many changes," he added.

"Sometimes you just don't know what you're going to get from your body. Rathbone and [Nathan] Broadhead in that first half looked really flat.

"So, for me, I wouldn't be surprised if there are changes. What changes he'll make, I don't know, but he's got riches of talent on that bench and in the squad."

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There have been plenty of contentious decisions in the 2025-26 Championship season so far.

Offside goals given, perfectly good goals ruled out, red card offences missed, penalties not given, dubious spot-kicks awarded. You name it.

With the video assistant referee (VAR) only used for the play-off final, the outcome of every second-tier game in the regular season can hinge on how on-field officials see incidents in real time.

• Would you want VAR introduced for every league game in the Championship?

• If so, why?

• And if not, let us know your reasons.

You can share your thoughts on VAR here or comment below, and we will publish a follow-up article soon with a selection of your responses.