Wrexham

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Former West Ham academy player Ben Sheaf hopes to kickstart his season against the Hammers on Friday evening.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham midfielder Ben Sheaf's return to contention after injury could hardly have come at a better time.

The 28-year-old missed the whole of pre-season and has yet to feature this season because of a calf problem.

But Sheaf is back in Wrexham's squad for Friday night's Championship trip to second placed West Ham United – the club where he spent three years as a teenager.

"I used to ball boy a lot at Upton Park when I was a kid because I was at West Ham Academy as a youngster," Sheaf said.

"I enjoyed going and watching the games there at Upton Park.

"It was a great atmosphere and it's always a club I've looked out for."

Wrexham are set to play in front of their biggest ever crowd at the London Stadium, which has a capacity of 62,500.

"I've actually never played at the London Stadium. It'll be good to go there - big crowd in a big stadium," Sheaf added.

"These are the sort of crowds and nights that the club's been building towards over the last few years.

"Hopefully in the future that can be a regularity.

"We're all looking forward to it. They're a top side, so it'll be a tough challenge.

"But if we put our best foot forward we'll have a right chance of getting a result.

"It's nice to be back involved but I've only missed five, six games, so it's not the end of the world.

"There's a long, long season ahead. Hopefully I can contribute for the rest of the season."

It is 45 years since these two sides met in a league game while the last match of any kind came in the FA Cup in 1997 when third-tier Wrexham earned a home draw before shocking their Premier League opponents with a 1-0 victory in east London.

A win for West Ham in Friday's late kick-off (20:00 BST) will send them to the top of the Championship for at least a few hours.

• This will be just the fourth league season in which West Ham and Wrexham have faced, and first since 1980-81 in the second tier, when the Hammers drew 2-2 away and won 1-0 at home.

• Wrexham and West Ham last faced in any competition in the 1996-97 FA Cup third round, with the Red Dragons winning 1-0 in a replay after a 1-1 draw in the initial tie.

• West Ham have won each of their past three league games, last winning four in a row in November 2021 in the Premier League.

• Wrexham have drawn as many as four of their opening six games of a season for just the fourth time in their Football League history, after 1929-30, 1966-67, and 1978-79 (all also four).

• West Ham's Jarrod Bowen has created more chances than any other player in the Championship this season (18), also leading the way for expected assists (2.4) in the competition.

Midfielder Matty James says Wrexham are not becoming preoccupied with their wait for a first home league win of the season.

The Dragons came from behind to earn a point against Burnley at the Racecourse Ground on Tuesday, having previously drawn 1-1 with Watford and lost 2-1 to Birmingham City on home soil.

Wrexham also had to be patient for their first home Championship victory last season, eventually registering it on 22 October, 11 games into the season.

"There's still some very, very good moments from the home game this evening," James told BBC Sport Wales following a 1-1 draw against Burnley.

"There are still positives to take from it, and I think for us it's not to worry about them kind of stats just yet.

"It was a slow start [last season]. I didn't know it was that late, to be honest. But we put in performances away from home."

Wrexham are unbeaten on the road in the league this season, having won at Millwall and earned draws away to Welsh rivals Cardiff City and Swansea City.

They face a big test on Friday, 11 September (20:00 BST) against Championship leaders West Ham United at the London Stadium.

"It's a game that we relish because it's a big game against another ex-Premier League team in a big stadium," James said.

"It's a big opportunity for us, and I think if we go there with the mentality that we've had for most of these last couple of games, then we'll give them a really good game."

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham could be boosted by the returns of Nathan Broadhead and Ben Sheaf to their options for Tuesday's visit of Burnley (19:45 BST).

The Clarets are without a win this season following their relegation from the Premier League and head to north Wales at the foot of the Championship.

Wrexham, meanwhile, are seeking their first home success of the campaign after four points from two away days suggested they have found their rhythm.

Wales international Broadhead missed the win at Millwall and Saturday's goalless Welsh derby in Swansea with what was described as a "minor knock".

Midfielder Sheaf, meanwhile, has yet to feature this season having been a key man for the side in last year's bid for the play-offs.

But both returned to training on Monday and came through unscathed, with boss Phil Parkinson set to make a decision on the day of the game.

"We want as many options as we can go going into this next run of games," said Parkinson, whose side travel to West Ham on Friday.

Parkinson said Broadhead "had a great pre-season where he showed some real quality".

The manager added: "He's done some work over the weekend and Sheaffy has been back in so we're really pleased with that."

Parkinson said Callum O'Hare has suffered something of a dead leg after a challenge from Ben Cabango in the Swansea clash.

That incident saw Parkinson claim the Wales centre-back should have been sent off and was keen to speak to the referee for his view following Saturday night's media duties, but has since said he had nothing to add.

It is 26 years since these two sides last faced each other in the league during which time Wrexham have dropped to non-league football before their rise back up the divisions.

Burnley are hoping to record a first win of the campaign, having managed only two points from their opening five games since relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.

• Wrexham and Burnley last faced in the 1999-00 third tier season, with the Clarets completing a league double over the Welsh side.

• Burnley have won nine of their past 10 league matches against Welsh clubs (D1) since a 1-0 Premier League defeat by Swansea in February 2018.

• Last season, Wrexham only won one of their six Championship games against sides relegated from the Premier League the season before (D3 L2), beating Ipswich 5-3 at home in February.

• Burnley have lost each of their past seven away league games, last losing more in a row in March 2010 (10).

• Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has managed two previous league games against Burnley and lost them both, first with Hull in October 2006 (0-2) and then with Charlton in January 2009 (1-2).

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Callum O'Hare "can't wait" to make his home debut after a hectic welcome to Wrexham since completing his deadline-day move from Sheffield United.

The 28-year-old got up in the early hours on Tuesday morning to seal his switch to the Racecourse Ground before Wrexham's trip to Millwall.

O'Hare then raced to London on the train, arriving hours before kick-off to make the squad, but remained an unused sub as Wrexham won 3-0 at the Den.

Then came his first Welsh derby. He was thrust in from the start by Phil Parkinson, even though he had not yet trained with all of his new teammates.

And O'Hare very nearly capped off a whirlwind few days with his maiden Wrexham goal on debut at Swansea, but the former Coventry man dragged his chance wide.

"I probably should have had a goal, but I'm always going to be there, so hopefully that will come," former England youth international O'Hare admitted.

"I feel like I've settled in well. I'm yet to train with everyone, so hopefully, by doing so, I'll improve and get to know everyone's game."

He added: "It's been crazy, honestly. I woke up really early on deadline day to try to get everything done so I could be in the squad for the Wednesday game.

"Then I had to get the train up [to London]. The boys were already there. I got there for 5pm and still managed to be in the squad."

On the game at Swansea, O'Hare said: "I'm gutted that we didn't get three points, but they are a good team who keep the ball well.

"We just had to dig in, really, and concentrate for the whole game, which I think we did."

After having failed to keep a clean sheet in their first four games across all competitions, Wrexham have now kept back-to-back shutouts.

Four points earned from that win at Millwall and Saturday's draw with Swansea have the Red Dragons sat 11th in the Championship table.

And there will be no let-up for Wrexham as they face relegated sides Burnley and West Ham before the end of this week.

Parkinson's charges first host winless Burnley on Tuesday evening (19:45 BST) before another trip to the capital on Friday.

O'Hare, who previously scored at the Racecourse Ground as a Sheffield United player, is excited to play in front of the Wrexham faithful.

"It's perfect. That's what we play football for, we can't wait," he said.

"We want to go into Tuesday night full of confidence after two good away performances. Now we want to bring that to the Racecourse."

"When we played against Wrexham, especially at the Racecourse, that game was mental. As a player, you could feel the excitement and the passion from the pitch.

"It's something I'm looking forward to. I can't wait to go there, meet everyone and hopefully get the three points."

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

The game did not live up to the hype, but the result means both clubs maintain momentum.

Swansea City remain top of the early-season table and Wrexham have enjoyed a better week after their slow start to the new campaign.

Their meeting at the Swansea.com Stadium came with a pre-match turn from a male voice choir, a sell-out crowd and a sizzling atmosphere.

But the match itself never really found a spark.

Perhaps it was for the best that Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac were not in the commentary box for this one – as they were when the two Welsh clubs met last March – because they would not have had too much to talk about.

The biggest discussion point in the post-match press conferences – or Wrexham's, at least – was the 77th-minute Ben Cabango challenge on Callum O'Hare which led to a yellow card for the Swansea captain.

Phil Parkinson said Cabango should have been sent off, Vitor Matos declined to join the debate.

A sending off would have helped Wrexham's cause late on, of course, but this was one of those games which seemed destined to end goalless.

Swansea had plenty of the ball – as expected – but could not replicate the zip and accuracy in possession which had their fans purring after last Tuesday's win over Watford.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wrexham had their moments, missing the night's clearest chance when debutant Callum O'Hare made space to shoot in the penalty area only to drag his shot wide.

Parkinson felt his side had looked the more menacing, with Max Cleworth unable to turn in Josh Windass' drive at the far post and Kieffer Moore denied by Swansea keeper Lawrence Vigouroux late on.

The home side's best chance fell to substitute Zan Vipotnik, who did well to reach Moussa Yeo's cross only for his sliding shot to go straight at Anthony Patterson.

For what it's worth, Swansea's xG was 0.73 compared to Wrexham's 0.64.

Ultimately, the stalemate was about right.

Swansea remain unbeaten - and have a fourth straight clean sheet on the board - as they prepare for what looks a demanding fixture at Southampton on Tuesday.

Wrexham return home to the Racecourse to face a struggling Burnley side in midweek having lifted the mood by taking four points – and registering two shutouts – from two demanding away trips in three days.

While each side would have wanted more from the Welsh derby, Swansea and Wrexham move on after what ultimately will be considered a decent result for both.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says Nathan Broadhead and Ben Sheaf are close to returning from injury as his side prepare to face Swansea City tonight (20:00 BST).

Broadhead missed the 3-0 win over Millwall at The Den in midweek while Sheaf is yet to feature this season.

But the Red Dragons remain without Liberato Cacace who has not been involved for Wrexham this season.

"Broady's close. He was only a minor knock," Parkinson said.

"Sheafo's trained for most of the session today (Friday). Libby's a bit behind."

George Dobson has been omitted from Wrexham's past two Championship matchday squads.

The midfielder was linked with a move away from north Wales during the summer transfer window.

Despite the 28-year-old's absence for the matches against Birmingham City and Millwall, Parkinson said Dobson will be ready to make an impact for the team.

"We can only pick nine subs and we've got decent options, but Dobbo is waiting for his chance," added Parkinson.

"He'll be ready and he'll be required, there's no doubt about that.

"He had a good first season in the Championship last season and we know he's a good player.

"He's a key character for us at the training ground and he'll be ready when called upon."

Transfer deadline day signings Joe Worrall and Callum O'Hare - who were both unused substitutes at Millwall on Wednesday - are in contention to feature against the Swans.