Heartbreaking news: Wrexham A.F.C. head coach Phil Parkinson just passed away to….

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is grateful their trip to Birmingham City falls on Monday night as it should give some of his key players time to prove their fitness.

Blues host top-of-the-table Wrexham at St Andrew’s in one of the most eagerly anticipated third tier matches in recent years. Two of the three remaining unbeaten records in League One are on

While Blues have had almost a fortnight off due to international call-ups, Wrexham have played twice. Parkinson rested all of his starters from last weekend’s league victory over Shrewsbury for the 2-1 win at home to Salford City in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday.

Wrexham skipper James McClean and influential midfielder Elliot Lee have been carrying niggles and summer signing George Dobson suffered a dead leg against Shrewsbury. Parkinson hopes the extra 48 hours gives them a better chance of being fit for Monday.

He told The Leader: “It is the next league game coming up and we have got an extra couple of days to prepare for it which I think is good for us because we have got one or two knocks.

“George Dobson had a dead leg and needed to be rested against Salford and Elliot Lee has got a slight problem so a few will get huge benefit from those extra two days, and I don’t think the game needs any building up.

“We just adapt the week accordingly and we have got that plan in place already as we always do as a staff. Sit down and try and get the detail and the preparation right because it is really important. We will go down to St Andrew’s and look to give a good account of ourselves.”