Improving key as Wrexham bid to go one better

Phil Parkinson says Wrexham's aim is to build on their efforts from last season as they bid to once again challenge for promotion in 2026-27.

The Red Dragons finished seventh last term and missed out on a play-off spot on the final day of the regular season, although they did achieve their highest-ever league finish.

"We knew we'd come into a division (last year) which was going to be tough," said Parkinson.

"We got better as the season went on. There's some really good periods within the season and can we build on that now? That's obviously the aim."

Parkinson's men only returned from their pre-season tour of the United States of America on Monday, just four days prior to their season opener at Middlesbrough in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Despite the vast travel and jet lag, Parkinson says he expects his side to benefit from their matches against the likes of Wisla Krakow, Manchester United, Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland over the summer.

"I enjoyed having the group together in pre-season," he said. "I think that was really important for us.

"A lot of the lads signed at different times and three came in in January and it's always difficult to get to know the lads when the games are coming thick and fast.

"So it's been good to get the lads away together and I feel that's been very beneficial for them as a group."

On the Boro fixture, Parkinson commented: "I feel the lads have recovered well. The flight was a night one.

"Of course, we haven't been able to train much this week because it was important that the lads got the rest they needed to let their bodies recover.

"But we're going up there to give a good account of ourselves."

Parkinson has added full-back Danny Imray and central midfielder Ben Whiteman to his ranks ahead of the trip to the Riverside Stadium.

Imray - who signed a four-year deal with Wrexham after leaving Crystal Palace - made his debut in the 1-0 pre-season loss to Sunderland on Sunday.

Midfielder Whiteman officially completed his move to north Wales from Preston North End on Tuesday night.

"I'm very pleased, two really good players," Parkinson said of his newest recruits.

"Danny came out on the tour with us which was good for him.

"Ben's just joined us this week, it's been a bit of a crazy week for him to join because he hasn't seen much of the lads, but he was training fully today.

"He's a really experienced Championship player, he's got great leadership qualities and I'm looking forward to working with him and Danny."

Parkinson remains eager to further bolster his options before the 23:00 BST transfer deadline on Tuesday, 1 September.

And the experienced manager - who has guided Wrexham to three promotions since taking charge of the club in 2021 - believes his side still have plenty of work to do in the market.

"We feel we're not where we need to be yet and we know that," he added.

"We're working, as ever, to make sure that the squad is as strong as it needs to be in what is going to be an incredibly competitive division.

"We're under no illusions about that. We've got to make this squad so strong and we are working tirelessly to bring those extra players in to give everybody a boost."

Amid further potential incomings, midfielder George Dobson has been linked with a loan switch to League One Sheffield Wednesday.

Dobson signed a new deal as recently as February to commit his future to Wrexham until the summer of 2028.

But Parkinson stated Wrexham are yet to receive any formal offers for the 28-year-old.

"There's rumours out there about Dobbo, but we haven't had any offer for him at all," added Parkinson.

"Sometimes someone says something on Twitter or something and it escalates into a bigger thing than it is.

"All I can say is there's been no official offer for Dobbo."