Wrexham

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Dom Hyam believes Wrexham team-mate Callum Doyle will attract transfer interest from some "big clubs" following his impressive debut season with the Red Dragons.

The central defender moved to north Wales from Manchester City last summer and, having been in and out of the starting line-up in the first half of the season, Doyle started each of Wrexham's final 26 games of the Championship season.

The 22-year-old was included in the English Football League Championship team of the season, and defender Hyam feels Doyle will be on the radar of numerous clubs in the summer transfer window.

"He's a really quality player. I think he's got everything," Hyam said of Doyle after his side's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough - a result that saw Wrexham finish seventh and miss out on the play-offs.

"He's technically so calm. He's a beast as well and he's young.

"I think that'll unfortunately attract some big clubs.

"It's obviously out of our hands, but he's got a big future."

Discussing Doyle's talents in mid-April, manager Phil Parkinson said: "Callum's been really good for us. I think everybody can see what a class player Callum is."

Doyle ended his debut season with Wrexham having featured 39 times across all competitions, scoring three goals.

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Josh Windass and Callum Doyle were among the headline winners at Wrexham's end of season awards ceremony for the 2025-26 campaign.

Windass - who joined the Red Dragons as a free agent after leaving Sheffield Wednesday last summer - ended the campaign as the club's top scorer with 17 goals across all competitions, seven of which came across his side's final eight games of the Championship season.

His exploits earned him the club's player of the season award, with impressive defender Callum Doyle being named young player of the season.

Doyle - who signed from Manchester City last summer - also scooped the club's players' player of the season prize.

It comes after the 22-year-old was named in the English Football League's Championship team of the season.

Midfielder Ollie Rathbone won the goal of the season award for his last-gasp strike that earned Phil Parkinson's men a dramatic 3-2 win at Queens Park Rangers on 24 January.

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Former Wrexham player and manager Brian Flynn believes the Red Dragons will bolster their ranks in the summer to ensure they are "stronger and better" in 2026-27.

Phil Parkinson's men narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs as they were pipped to sixth spot by Hull City on the final day of the 2025-26 regular season.

Nevertheless, Wrexham secured their highest-ever league finish, and Flynn believes his former club will only improve next term.

"I think they need at least three or four players. Is that a major overhaul? I don't think so," he told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"He does like employing strikers, that's for certain, Phil does do that.

"In all other areas of the pitch, I think they're well served.

"They've got players like [Dom] Hyam, he's been excellent all season. He's been a really good signing.

"Players like Ollie Rathbone have come up with important goals, Josh Windass is a Championship player, so they will definitely come back stronger and better next season, without a shadow of a doubt."

The Red Dragons signed off their season with an exciting 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough at Stok Cae Ras.

After Tommy Conway had given Boro an early lead, Wrexham went 2-1 up thanks to Josh Windass' stunning free-kick and Sam Smith's bullet header.

But Kim Hellberg's men - who take on Southampton in the play-off semi-finals - earned a point thanks to David Strelec's goal shortly after Smith had given the home side the lead.

"It was two really good teams," Flynn said of the contest in north Wales.

"After the early goal, I was really impressed with the way Wrexham shrugged off the disappointment of conceding so soon.

"The passing and movement was quick, they were a threat.

"It was a good advert for the Championship. Unfortunately, Kieffer [Moore], Josh Windass' chance as well, if you wanted the ball to fall to anyone on the edge of the box, you'd back Josh, but unfortunately it wasn't to be."

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Former Wrexham midfielder Waynne Phillips acknowledges that the club have enjoyed a successful season in the Championship - but that missing out on the play-offs would be a "disappointment".

Wrexham are sixth in the table and host fourth-placed Middlesbrough on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Victory for Wrexham would give them a play-off spot unless Hull City can claim victory by a bigger winning margin, while anything less could also open the door for Derby County to sneak into sixth place.

"There will be an element of disappointment if they don't make it into the top six," Phillips told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast.

"They will have come so close having done so well for the majority of the season.

"I'm disappointed with how the season has finished for them - their worst run of the season has come at the most important time.

"But Middlesbrough have not been at their best in the last 10 games – if you look back to two months ago it looked like Middlesbrough were going up automatically.

"Things change in football – what counts now is not what has happened in 45 games this season but the 90 minutes tomorrow [Saturday] afternoon."

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Phil Parkinson says he is not concerned by Middlesbrough's approach to Saturday's crucial fixture with his Wrexham side at Stok Cae Ras on Saturday (12:30 BST), amid talk the visitors could potentially rest players.

Boro's slim automatic promotion hopes were kept alive on Tuesday night as Southampton drew 2-2 with Ipswich Town.

To finish second Kim Hellberg's side need to beat the Red Dragons and also hope both Ipswich lose to Queens Park Rangers and Millwall fail to beat relegated Oxford United on the final weekend of the regular season.

Opta's data model gives Boro just a 2.2% chance of clinching a place in the top two, while they are already guaranteed a place in the play-offs at the very least.

It has led to some suggesting Hellberg could name a weakened team against Wrexham in a bid to keep his side fresh for a likely play-off campaign.

Discussing Boro, Parkinson said: "They're a good side, like any team which is up there at this stage.

"Similar to when we played them [in October] really, even though it was a different manager. They've got some key players, they've had some different results in the last 10 games, particularly defeats at home.

"But the dream's still alive for them. Obviously, they need other results to go their way."

Middlesbrough's hopes of automatic promotion would already have been over had Ipswich got more than the single point they collected at Southampton in midweek.

"People have been speaking a lot about, if Ipswich won, would it mean Middlesbrough played a weakened team? That doesn't bother me, to be honest with you.

"You can't predict the mindset of the opposition or manager or the team on the day, we've just got to focus on ourselves and we have done this week and we'll be ready."

Middlesbrough head to north Wales having earned back-to-back victories against bottom side Sheffield Wednesday and Watford - although those triumphs followed a seven-game winless run.

Nevertheless, Wrexham midfielder Matty James feels Boro deserve huge praise for still being in the mix for automatic promotion with one game left to play this season.

"I think Middlesbrough have done excellent throughout the whole season," said James.

"They've got some very, very good players and credit to them to be at this point in the season.

"But I think for us, a home game, the key thing is our performance and making sure we make it very, very difficult for them on Saturday."

There is a lot riding on this game for both sides when they meet on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Victory for Wrexham would give them a play-off spot unless Hull can claim victory by a bigger winning margin, while anything less could also open the door for Derby County to sneak into sixth place.

Middlesbrough already know they will at least be in the play-offs but a win might be enough to pinch the second automatic promotion place depending on the results for Ipswich and Millwall.

• This will be Wrexham's first home game against Middlesbrough in the Football League; the Red Dragons have won their first Football League home game against an opponent in seven of the past 10 occasions (D1 L2), most recently beating Ipswich 5-3 in February.

• Middlesbrough have lost both of their previous away games against Wrexham in all competitions, both in the FA Cup in 1973-74 (1-0) and 1999-00 (2-1).

• Wrexham have won their final match in each of their past four Football League seasons, their longest ever such run.

• Middlesbrough have lost their final game in three of the past five Championship seasons (W1 D1), as many as their previous 14 in the second tier beforehand (W7 D4 L3).

• Between 11 March and 22 April, Middlesbrough had 179 shots in eight Championship matches and scored just seven goals (4% conversion). In their last game against Watford, they had 20 shots and scored five goals (25%).

BBC Sport asked Wrexham fans if Phil Parkinson's team will be in the Championship's top six at the end of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season this weekend.

We also asked if Wrexham are ready for the Premier League, or whether they might they be better off with another season in the Championship following their rapid rise from the National League.

Here are some of the responses.

Chris: This is the biggest free hit in the club's history. No-one expected play-offs this year so just go out there, cut loose and see where it takes us.

Rose: Middlesbrough will not want to be playing Southampton in the play-offs, and as Millwall have Oxford at home, Middlesbrough are hoping for an upset. They will be going to win at Wrexham and hopefully score more goals, so that could go in Wrexham's favour. If Wrexham can get an early goal, Middlesbrough will be forced to play more open, so it will be a very exciting game. I will give Wrexham a 3-2 victory and sixth place.

Richard: I'd love them to be in the play-offs, but if they go up they'll come straight back down - which isn't a terrible scenario, as they'll pocket a few hundred million. Quite relaxed about it all.

Nick: Unbelievably proud to say I'm from Wrexham these days. The way this whole process has been handled over the last five years should be role modelled, from the owners, staff, fans and the people of Wrexham. I have never witnessed such a turnaround to revitalise a community and area like this. Just goes to show the power sporting success can have.

Jamie: Pure Hollywood dreams for Wrexham. Middlesborough still have a shot at automatic promotion. The match to watch, for sure! So much to play for. Loyalties torn (father-in-law is a Boro fan).

John: Yes [they will make the play-offs] and get promotion but will struggle with present squad in the Premier League.

Jamie: Regardless of what happens on Saturday, this will be Wrexham's best league finish in a long while. I am so incredibly proud of every person at this club.

Steve: Three-horse race now. However, Wrexham have on paper the hardest game as Middlesborough COULD still win automatic promotion, with Derby home to Sheffield United while Hull face Norwich. All to play for though!!!

Image source, BBC Sport

Another season is coming to an end and another dramatic conclusion awaits for Wrexham and their Hollywood owners.

Phil Parkinson's side are sixth in table as they prepare to host fourth-placed Middlesbrough on Saturday, but there is work to do if they are to secure a play-off spot and the chance to claim a fourth successive promotion.

Hull City an Derby County are also part of the scrap for sixth, with a nervy climax to the Championship play-off race on the cards for all three clubs.

We want to know your thoughts and feelings heading into another big weekend for Wrexham.

Will they finish in the top six? Are they ready for a shot at the Premier League? Or might Wrexham be better off spending another year in the second tier and building towards a crack at the top flight?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

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Former Wales midfielder Owain Tudur Jones says the "dream remains alive" for Wrexham who go into the final day of the Championship regular season firmly in the mix for a top six spot.

The Red Dragons, Hull City and Derby County head into Saturday's crucial round of fixtures in contention to secure the fourth and final play-off place in the second tier.

Phil Parkinson's side hold the slenderest of advantages ahead of the weekend as they sit above Hull on goal difference and are a point better off than Derby.

But Jones believes the fact Wrexham, on the back of three successive promotions, are even in contention to extend their campaign shows how well they have performed this term.

"It's not quite as simple as saying it's in Wrexham's hands," former Wales international Jones told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast.

"They're on the same number of points (as Hull) and their goal difference is one better, so it's in their hands if they score more than Hull, but for Hull, it's exactly the same story.

"I feel that Hull have a slightly easier game against Norwich who have nothing to play for.

"Derby County, I feel, will win against Sheffield United at home, and that means Wrexham have to win.

"You have to try not to look at what happens elsewhere, hope that Middlesbrough still have a chance of finishing in second place.

"There's a lot going on, and I'm confusing myself looking at it. It promises to be an incredible weekend.

"But for Wrexham, not many people thought they would be in this situation, and the dream remains alive."

Wrexham's contest with Middlesbrough at Stok Cae Ras on Saturday gets under way at 12:30 BST.