Wrexham A.F.C. forward Sam Smith is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a significant knee injury. The 28-year-old sustained the problem during the club's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United last Friday, with swelling confirmed the following day.

Manager Phil Parkinson confirmed the severity of the setback. "Unfortunately for Sam, it looks like he's going to face a significant period on the sidelines," Parkinson said. Smith will see a specialist on Tuesday to determine the full extent of the damage and whether surgery is required.

Cadamarteri steps up

The injury comes at a difficult time for a Wrexham side sitting 19th in the Championship with 14 points from 13 games, having recorded three wins, five draws and five losses. It further strains an attack already missing Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead and Callum O'Hare. Parkinson stated that Bailey Cadamarteri is ready for increased opportunities.

The 21-year-old Jamaica international, who joined from Sheffield Wednesday in January, has made five substitute appearances this season. With Kieffer Moore now the only senior striker fully fit, Cadamarteri's readiness is vital. Moore, the club's top scorer with five goals this season, will lead the line in the coming fixtures.

Wrexham's recent form shows one win in their last five matches, a run that includes consecutive defeats to Sheffield United and Blackburn. Their last five results, in reverse order, were a 1-0 loss at Sheffield United on Friday 30 October, a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn on Saturday 24 October, a 4-1 win over Preston on Saturday 17 October, a 1-2 home loss to West Brom on Tuesday 13 October, and a 1-1 draw at Derby on Saturday 10 October. The team has scored 15 goals this season but conceded 19, leaving them with a negative goal difference of four. They host Middlesbrough on Wednesday 4 November, a team that beat them 1-0 in August. The quick turnaround and mounting injury list present a major challenge for Parkinson's squad as they look to climb away from the lower reaches of the standings. The match at the Racecourse Ground kicks off at 19:45 GMT.

First reported at BBC Sport Football