Wrexham Under-21s take on Newcastle United Under-21s in an EFL Trophy group encounter.
PHIL PARKINSON will make changes for tonight’s EFL Trophy group opener against Newcastle United under 21s at The STóK Cae Ras, and both new arrivals could make an appearance.
Wrexham are coming off a 1-0 win against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, which extended their unbeaten League Two record to five games.
Parkinson, whose team will also face Crewe and Port Vale in the group rounds of a competition they won in 2005, stated, “Obviously, there will be changes.”
“We’ll refresh the team and hopefully continue our winning streak.”
On transfer deadline day, midfielder George Evans and goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo joined the Reds.
Evans joined Wrexham from Millwall and made his debut as a late substitute against Tranmere, while Arsenal goalkeeper Okonkwo has joined on a season-long loan.
Parkinson remarked of being able to finalize the acquisition of Evans from a Championship club, “People want to come and play for this club.”
“George sat on the bench and saw the fans behind the Tranmere goal. I’m sure he was thinking to himself, “What a great decision to come to this great football club.”
Okonkwo, who is not in the Prenton Park team, spent last season on loan with Crewe before finishing the season with Stum Graz, where he won the Austrian Cup.
“Going from under 23 to league football at Crewe was a great baptism for Arthur, and he did really well,” Parkinson said.
“He then moved on to the Austrian League, where he played in the cup final.”
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“He is someone we were looking at and didn’t think we’d be able to get, but sometimes things work in your favor and we were able to bring him to the club.”
“He needs some minutes because he didn’t get much in pre-season, but Mark Howard was excellent against Tranmere.”
James McClean, who was chosen man of the match against Tranmere Rovers, will miss Saturday’s home game against Doncaster Rovers after being named to the Republic of Ireland team for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and the Netherlands.
Fellow winger Jacob Mendy is back after missing the Gambia squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo.
“I thought James was brilliant,” Parkinson added.
“He gave us so much quality on that left side, and it’s a shame he won’t be available next week, but we knew he was a seasoned international when he came on board.”
“However, Jacob is still available; he has not been called up to the final squad.”
