Wrexham Boss Phil Parkinson job at risks after
Wrexham Boss Phil Parkinson job at risks after
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is sweating over the fitness of Ryan Barnett after the wing-back went off injured against Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.
It’s been a season filled with unlucky injuries for the Welsh side upon their return to League Two and Barnett could now be looking at a spell on the sidelines. The 24-year-old soldiered on after receiving a heavy tackle against Tranmere Rovers at the weekend but was eventually unable to continue.
Parkinson felt the tackle was dangerous and has admitted that the injury is more serious than that of his teammate Tom O’Connor, who is expected to be back fit this weekend.
The former Shrewsbury Town player has had a scan, and the extent of the damage will be made clear later this week. Speaking to The Leader, the Wrexham manager spoke about the situation.
“Barney is a little bit more serious, I thought it was a dangerous challenge on Barney; he carried on for a bit but had to come off in the end in the second half.”
“We had to him for a scan on his foot yesterday and we are just hoping to get good news with that. We are just hoping it is a badly bruised foot but we will know more later in the week.”
It’s Barnett’s second injury of the season, with the wing-back previously missing two months of football from October until December with knee ligament damage. He has become a mainstay in the side recently, starting the last six games.
The injury could open an opportunity for January signing Luke Bolton to get some game time, with the former Salford City player struggling to break into the side since arriving. The 24-year-old has started just one game.
Wrexham face a trip away to Grimsby Town on Saturday and there are no clear indications at present that Barnett will be part of the matchday squad.
Writer’s View
The former Solihull Moors winger has been in fine form for the Welsh side in League Two this season and an injury at such a key period will be a blow for the team as they try to continue their surge for automatic promotion, currently sitting third in the division.
Bolton was an important player for Salford before his move in January, and if he does get the nod at the weekend to start the game, he will feel it’s a chance to prove himself and try and nail down a starting spot in the games that remain.
