Phil Parkinson has hailed Max Cleworth as the living symbol of Wrexham A.F.C.'s remarkable journey. The 24-year-old centre-back, now recovering from a hamstring injury, is the last remaining player from the club's rise from the National League to the Championship. His absence compounds a difficult season that sees the team 17th in the Championship with 14 points from three wins, five draws, and four losses.

Cleworth made his league debut in a 2-2 draw at Solihull Moors in August 2021 and has since made nearly 200 senior appearances for the Reds. He is one of ten players who were part of the three successive promotions, with eight having moved on and Ryan Barnett on a season-long loan at MK Dons. "I just think Max is symbolic of what we've achieved, that he's grown with the club as a player," Parkinson told reporters at The Racecourse.

Injury highlights current challenges

His absence is a significant one for a squad handling a difficult Championship season. Cleworth sustained the hamstring injury in the 1-1 home draw with Burnley on September 8. Parkinson described him as an integral part of the squad despite the setback, adding, "There's no magic wand which has been waved with Max." His recovery timeline is part of a wider injury list that includes N. Broadhead, L. Cacace, S. Revan, J. Windass, and G. Thomason, all currently sidelined.

Squad context and next steps

Wrexham's current league position of 17th, with 14 points from 12 games, shows the challenge. They have scored 15 goals and conceded 18, leaving them with a minus three goal difference. They are 11 points behind leaders Middlesbrough and coming off a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn last Friday, a match where Andri Guðjohnsen scored twice for the hosts. That result is part of a recent form of two wins, one draw, and two losses, which included a 4-1 victory over Preston and a 1-2 loss to West Brom. Top scorer Kieffer Moore, with five goals in 12 appearances this season, will be key as they prepare for the next test. That comes away at 12th-placed Sheffield United on Friday, October 30. The full fixtures schedule shows a key run of games ahead for Parkinson's side, who will hope to have Cleworth and others back soon to bolster their defensive options.

First reported at bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk