Wrexham AFC has received a significant boost as experienced striker Jay Rodriguez edges closer to a first-team return, having been absent from league football since April.
Injury Setback and Road to Recovery
The former England international, who joined the Red Dragons from Burnley in January on an 18-month deal, has been sidelined with a serious stress fracture in his ankle sustained during pre-season. The injury was severe enough for manager Phil Parkinson to omit the 36-year-old from Wrexham's official 24-man Championship squad when it was announced in September.
Rodriguez, who also previously played for Southampton and West Bromwich Albion, made a notable contribution to the club's promotion from League One last season, scoring twice in 17 appearances. His last league outing for the club was the 2-1 victory at Blackpool on April 21.
Parkinson's Positive Squad Update
Providing an encouraging update on the team's fitness situation, Parkinson confirmed that Rodriguez has now returned to training. He is not alone in his recovery, with midfielder Andy Cannon, who suffered a ruptured ACL back in February, also back on the training pitch.
However, the news was tempered by a setback for last season's player of the year, Ollie Rathbone. The midfielder, who sustained an ankle injury in pre-season, has suffered another minor issue. Parkinson told The Leader: "Ollie just straightened his thigh a bit prior to the reserve game. It's not a major injury but we've just got to get him out of that cycle where he's so determined to get back involved with the group that he's almost overextending himself."
The manager emphasised the value of returning players, stating they would be "like new signings" for the squad, potentially reducing the pressure to be overly active in the January transfer window.
Financial Stakes and Forthcoming Fixtures
According to salary data from Capology, Rodriguez is currently the third-highest earner at the club, on a reported weekly wage of £25,000. The striker, who earned one cap for England in a 2013 friendly against Chile, represents a significant investment for the club.
The earliest fans can expect to see Rodriguez back in competitive action is January, when clubs are next permitted to register new players or make changes to their squad lists. His return would be a welcome addition for a Wrexham side that finds itself in a promising position.
Currently 14th in the Championship table, the team is on an impressive six-match unbeaten streak and sits just three points adrift of the play-off places. Their next challenge is a home fixture against Bristol City on Wednesday night.
Parkinson also provided updates on other absentees, explaining that wing-back Liberato Cacace and top-scorer Kieffer Moore were left out of the weekend's goalless draw with Ipswich Town to work with physios. He framed Moore's absence as a potential "slight positive," giving the Welsh international a much-needed breather after a busy schedule of club and international football.
