Wrexham Defender Max Cleworth Faces Two-Month Injury Layoff
Wrexham's Max Cleworth will be sidelined for eight weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained during a recent match against Burnley.
Wrexham AFC has confirmed that defender Max Cleworth will be out of action for approximately eight weeks following a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old sustained the injury during the first half of the team’s recent 1-1 draw against Burnley.
Manager Phil Parkinson provided details on the injury, stating, “He overstretched the ball in a bit of a tangle and he just overstretched his hamstring. It is a bit more serious than we first thought, so he’s going to be eight weeks out.” Cleworth had been a regular starter for Wrexham, featuring in the last three matches, and his absence will necessitate a defensive reshuffle ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Upcoming Matches and Squad Adjustments
Wrexham is set to face West Ham United on Friday, 11 September, at 20:00 BST, followed by a home match against Southampton on Saturday, 19 September. These matches will be crucial as the team aims to maintain its momentum in the league.
Parkinson expressed confidence in the squad’s depth, noting that they have sufficient cover to cope with Cleworth’s absence. He highlighted the performances of Zak Vyner, who had an impressive pre-season, and Aaron James, who has also shown promise. Additionally, Dom Hyam and Joe Worrell are available to fill in defensive roles.
Positive News on Other Players
In a silver lining for Wrexham, forward Josh Windass, who suffered a calf injury during the match against Burnley, is expected to be available for the upcoming game against West Ham. Parkinson reassured fans, stating, “It was only a whack, we’ve had that scanned, so that’s really positive news for us.” Windass, who missed pre-season, is being carefully managed to ensure he reaches peak performance levels.
Furthermore, midfielder Ben Sheaf, who has yet to feature this season due to a calf injury, is also included in the travelling squad for the match against West Ham. His return will bolster Wrexham’s midfield options as they prepare for a challenging fixture against the second-placed team.
As Wrexham navigates this period of injury challenges, the focus will be on maintaining their competitive edge in the league, with the squad ready to step up in Cleworth’s absence.
Source: This original report was produced by WTGO Newsroom using verified reporting from BBC Sport.