'Talented' Doyle continuing to improvepublished at 21:31 GMT 9 March
21:31 GMT 9 March
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Phil Parkinson believes Callum Doyle can "keep building his reputation" as the defender's improvement at Wrexham continues.
The 22-year-old produced an eye-catching display in the Red Dragons' 4-2 FA Cup fifth round defeat by Chelsea on Saturday.
Doyle - a permanent signing from Manchester City in the summer - scored his third goal and claimed his third assist of the campaign against Liam Rosenior's Premier League side.
It further typified his growing influence in north Wales.
Having started just six of the first 18 Championship matches Wrexham played following his move to Stok Cae Ras, the defender has gone on to start 18 successive games across all competitions.
"Doyley's obviously a talented player," Parkinson said.
"He's creating goals and scoring goals from left side centre-back and he's got better.
"Since he's been here he's really bought into what we've asked him to do.
"He's a very good player and he knows he's got to keep his focus every minute of every game and keep building his reputation and let his football do the talking."
Let's take FA Cup display into Hull game - Smith published at 12:34 GMT 9 March
12:34 GMT 9 March
Image source, Getty Images
Striker Sam Smith says Wrexham must take their FA Cup performance against Chelsea into Tuesday's Championship game against promotion rivals Hull at the Stok Cae Ras (19:45 GMT).
For a big chunk of Saturday's first half Smith would have dreamed he was going to be Wrexham's fifth-round giant-killing hero, as he opened the scoring to shock the Premier League stars on a "special" night in north Wales.
But Chelsea equalised just before half-time and overcame another Wrexham goal from defender Callum Doyle as their Champions League quality shone though with a 4-2 extra time win.
"Credit to the staff, the players and everyone involved at the club - it was one of the best atmospheres I've known at the ground, 100 per cent," said Smith.
"I really hope everyone can be here again on Tuesday and go again."
Wrexham will be bidding to leapfrog Hull into fifth place on their return to league action.
"It was disappointing to lose to Chelsea but we've got to make sure we take that performance into Tuesday and the last 11 games, and see the positives," added the 28-year-old former Reading striker.
Smith's 18th-minute goal was his sixth in 12 league and cup appearances in 2026.
It was route-one stuff - a long ball over the top from Doyle, followed by a clever run from Smith that exploited Chelsea's high defensive line and a clinical near-post finish.
"It's something we work on," said Smith.
"[Callum] has got an outrageous left foot and I knew I'd cause them problems.
"As soon as Callum looked up, I thought I was in.
"My touch was good and the keeper was back-tracking. I hit it early and to score and hear the atmosphere afterwards...it was a special few minutes."
Pick of the stats: Wrexham v Hull Citypublished at 12:20 GMT 9 March
12:20 GMT 9 March
Image source, Opta
It's a big game in the Championship play-off race as Wrexham return to league action after their FA Cup exploits to host Hull City on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT).
Hours before the Red Dragons took Chelsea to extra-time before exiting the FA Cup in the fifth round on Saturday, the Tigers were a touch unfortunate to go down 3-1 at home to Millwall in another top-six battle.
It means City are fifth, three points ahead of Wrexham, who now have a game in hand, with seventh-placed Derby leading the play-off chasing pack a further three points adrift.
A home win would see Wrexham into the top-five for the first time this season and a win for either team could apply pressure to fourth-placed Ipswich, who visit Stoke the same evening.
Wrexham are unbeaten in their past 10 home league games against Hull (W7 D3), with this the first time they're hosting the Tigers since a 2-2 draw in League One in October 2004.
Following their 2-0 win in December, Hull are looking to complete the league double over Wrexham for the first time since 1948-49.
Wrexham have won nine of their past 13 league games (D2 L2), though both defeats in that run came in home games.
Hull City have lost just one of their past nine away league games (W7 D1), though it did come at Ipswich Town last time out on the road.
Wrexham's Josh Windass has scored three goals in his seven league appearances against Hull. His sides have won all three games in which he scored, but lost all four in which he didn't.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Wrexham v Chelsea"or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Man City".
Sutton's predictions: Wrexham v Chelseapublished at 18:25 GMT 6 March
18:25 GMT 6 March
I am at this game for Radio 5 Live and am really looking forward to it.
The whole story of Wrexham's rise is incredible. They have had three successive promotions and are in with a chance of a fourth this season too.
Yes, they have splashed some cash along the way, but they have still had to spend that money the right way, to find the right players to fit into their system.
Their manager Phil Parkinson has done an incredible job because they have adapted and evolved each time they have made a step up, and they must be excited about this tie too.
I still fancy Chelsea to get past them, though. They outclassed another high-flying Championship side, Hull City, in round four and I think they will have too much quality for Wrexham.
Every defeat for Chelsea is always seen as being the end of the world but they got a great win against Aston Villa on Wednesday. Like most people I had taken Joao Pedro out of my fantasy team, so of course he went and scored a hat-trick.
Blues boss Liam Rosenior has done a good job so far. His target has to be Champions League football, but of course he would love to win the FA Cup.
Wrexham v Chelsea preview: Can Parkinson haunt Blues again?published at 17:23 GMT 6 March
17:23 GMT 6 March
Jordan Butler BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Many thousands of articles have been written and dozens of documentary episodes have been aired on Disney+ about the recent and rapid rise of Wrexham AFC.
Since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds purchased the club in February 2021 for an estimated £2m – and Phil Parkinson was installed as manager – they have ascended three divisions in the past three seasons and now sit in a Championship play-off position.
A fourth successive promotion is a distinct possibility. Their march up the leagues has been temporarily halted for this FA Cup date with Chelsea – the first meeting between the sides in 44 years.
Parkinson's side have already dispatched top-flight opposition in the cup this season, with a penalty shootout win over Nottingham Forest in round three, and the 58-year-old was the last manager to knock the Blues out of the FA Cup with a non-Premier League side when his League One Bradford City achieved a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge in 2015. Jose Mourinho was Chelsea boss at the time.
It's unlikely the visitors will be daunted by the occasion and they have already made light work of second-tier opposition in this season's competition. A 5-1 thrashing of Charlton Athletic in head coach Liam Rosenior's first game in charge was followed by a 4-0 victory over Hull City, with both triumphs occurring away from home.
The Blues arrive in north Wales fresh from a comprehensive 4-1 win at Aston Villa, which was arguably the most complete display of Rosenior's two months at the helm.
Only 21 league places will separate the sides come kick-off on Saturday, but you only need to cast your mind back three years to illustrate the obvious gulf that still remains. Both clubs played on this day in 2023 and both were victorious, but at very different levels of football.
Wrexham cruised to a 4-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge as they conquered all before them to win the National League with a record 111 points, while just 18 miles down the road Chelsea defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in a Champions League last 16 fixture.
Image source, Getty Images
Did you know?
Chelsea have progressed from each of their past 24 FA Cup ties against lower league opposition. However, their last defeat to a non-Premier League side in this competition was a 4-2 home reverse to Phil Parkinson's Bradford City in January 2015 in the fourth round.
League is priority but Chelsea a nice distraction - Hyampublished at 14:03 GMT 6 March
14:03 GMT 6 March
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Captain Dom Hyam says Wrexham's focus is to reach the Premier League - but facing top-flight Chelsea in the FA Cup is an "amazing" distraction from their season aim.
Hyam led Phil Parkinson's side as they beat Charlton last weekend, a result that added to the belief that a potential fourth straight promotion is possible.
With 11 games of the Championship season remaining, Wrexham sit sixth in the table and have two home games against Hull City and Swansea City to come following the Chelsea game.
But Hyam says facing Liam Rosenior's side in Saturday's fifth round tie at the Stok Cae Ras (17:45 GMT) will be a nice distraction from the league as Wrexham push for a play-off finish and a chance of reaching the top-flight for the first time in the club's history.
"It could be deemed as a distraction but what an amazing distraction it is," said Hyam. "You want to play against the best teams and the best players - it's what you work hard for, to play against Premier League teams in the FA Cup.
"Hopefully we can be there one day and be a Premier League team playing someone in the FA Cup too."
Hyam knows just how tough Saturday's FA Cup fifth round game will be, Chelsea having impressed in a midweek 4-1 win over Aston Villa.
This will be first meeting between between the sides since 1982 and Hyam is excited about testing himself against some of the best players in the world.
"They've got a lot of strengths being in the division above but like any sort of traditional match day we'll come together and talk about game plans and how we can beat them," said Hyam
"Every player wants to play against the best players in the best leagues, so hopefully we can put in a good account of ourselves."
Since joining Wrexham from Blackburn Rovers in September 2025 the defender's form for the Dragons has given him a chance of catching the eye of Scotland manager Steve Clarke before this summer's World Cup.
Hyam's only cap so far was in 2023 against Norway and the 30-year-old is hoping his performances will be rewarded with an international return.
"I've got to do what I can control, and that's my performances with Wrexham," said Hyam, who was most recently in the Scotland squad for the game with Belarus in September.
"I'll give myself the best opportunity to do that, hopefully stay in the team and hopefully be fit and healthy. At the end of the day, that's all I can do, and then hopefully I can get the call."
Parkinson predicts 'tighter' Championship after play-off changepublished at 20:17 GMT 5 March
20:17 GMT 5 March
Image source, Rex Features
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson thinks expanding the play-offs will make for an even tighter Championship next season.
EFL clubs this week voted in favour of increasing the end-of-season format to six clubs from four from the 2026-2027 campaign.
Parkinson – whose side are the Championship play-off positions – insisted his focus is still on the current campaign as they bid for a fourth successive promotion.
But he admitted it will boost the hopes of fans, adding "This season is alive with so many teams trying to get in to the top six so bringing eighth into it is going to make it even tighter next year.
"I need to read it up on that in a bit more detail, but for a supporter it gives more teams the hope that they can get into the Premier League, which is obviously the aim of every single team in the Championship. Everyone's got to believe they can do that, and obviously it opens the door up a little bit wider."
The format will copy that of the National League where there is a greater advantage for the sides who finish higher.
Wrexham, though, missed out in the play-offs semi-finals in Parkinson's first season in north Wales, despite finishing second.
There have also been calls to shake up the promotion system for the National League to add an extra automatic spot.
But Parkinson pondered whether that will get the green light.
"The National League is a very tough league to get out of - and if you look at it now, there are teams having good seasons, but are not going to make the automatic promotion.
"I think it's going to be a hard thing to vote through because the League Two teams are going to have to agree to it.
"Wrexham got caught in the division for 15 years and had some near misses along the way and it does seem fair to create that extra place, but I do think that it's going to be tough to make that happen because the way the votes will have to go."
'Game's gone' or 'everyone has something to play for'?published at 15:18 GMT 5 March
15:18 GMT 5 March
Image source, Shutterstock
Earlier we asked what you make of the news that, from next season, the Championship play-offs will be expanded to include the teams finishing seventh and eighth?
Josh, Derby: I don't believe this is necessary. I do think that the play-off format should be aligned throughout the top five leagues, but expanding isn't needed. Better distribution of the monies involved and establishing a clear matchday structure to balance various men's and women's leagues would be a better use of everyone's time. This strikes me undue American influence.
Callum, Dartford: I think it's a good thing so teams can push for promotion that thought they wouldn't get near the play-offs.
Cato, Sheffield: If we adopted it to this season, it means that eighth-placed Derby (on 51 points) have about as much a chance of going up as third-placed Millwall (on 63 points). Plus, to accommodate the extra games, would they extend the season into June? I don't like the idea of it at all, and I hope it's short-lived.
Steve, London: Another example of football being ruined, week by week. Don't you dare think about implementing VAR too.
Mark, Stafford: As a Stoke fan, I think it's good news. The season has come to a grinding halt due to being decimated by injuries. Add to that, the quality of what is coming down from the Premier League, it would mean upsets can happen and still allow teams in that mid-table race to dream of greater heights!
Richard, Stansted: Absolutely ridiculous. What is the point of a league format if you are going to make it a bigger lottery to include even more teams at the end of the season? It also brings teams that are even less ready to actually be in the Premier League into scope. But mostly it's the undermining of the league format which makes no sense. I'm a Derby fan - and we look like we would have a chance of benefiting from this if it were in place this season.
Andy, Nuneaton: Anything that expands the opportunities for those outside of the parachute teams is a good thing. We need to get away from this elite view of the Premier League. If it was up to them, they'd stop automatic promotion and relegation and have a system like Rugby Union, where it's based on meeting certain criteria. The eighth-placed club in the Championship getting to the PL? Bring it on!
Ron, Hayling: Money, Money, Money. Players complain about the amount of games they play with the league games and cup competitions so the intention is to play even more at the end of the season. Owners will make some money but that's all that matters!
Barry, Dartford: Yes it's a fantastic for everyone, all the small teams as well as the big boys, to have something to play for. It will give the end of the season something to look forward to.
Benjamin, Poole: I'm a Charlton fan, so it's unlikely we'll come 8th in the Championship any time soon, however, this is ridiculous. More pandering to Americans to make it more likely they'll make money, which is the only thing they care about. Sporting integrity out of the window again. Shame as I felt the Championship was the last bastion of quality and integrity combined. Game has gone.
Broughton, Derby: Absolute ridiculous, put it back to the old days of three straight up, no play-offs. If you don't make top-three you don't deserve to go up.
Julian, London: The worst decision from a footballing point of view ever! The National League teams have been trying to change their system to be like the current EFL system so it seems a very strange decision for the EFL to take. You can finish 8th after 46 games and still get promoted - sporting integrity has been totally lost with this decision. Money over integrity every time!
Doubts over Wrexham trio for Chelsea FA Cup tiepublished at 14:36 GMT 5 March
14:36 GMT 5 March
Image source, Rex Features
Wrexham's bid for an FA Cup shock against Premier League Chelsea has been hit by injury doubts over three of Phil Parkinson's key players.
Midfielder George Dobson, wing back Issy Kabore and forward Nathan Broadhead could all miss Saturday's home televised fixture in the fifth round.
The north Wales club take on Chelsea with the aim of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 1997 (17:45 GMT).
Wrexham have already knocked out top-flight opposition to get to this stage by beating Nottingham Forest at the Cae Ras.
Dobson was man of the match with two assists in that third-round win but had a midweek operation after breaking a bone in his wrist in the Championship victory at Charlton Athletic.
"There's talk he could wear a cast but we will have to see," said Parkinson.
"It's not an injury which is going to keep him out long term, but the fact that he's had to have a small operation to put a screw in there means we've got to assess it."
Parkinson said he will also run the rule over record signing Broadhead, who he said took "a whack" in the win at the Valley that retained Wrexham's place in the play-off positions.
On-loan Manchester City defender Kabore is said to have "tightness" in his hamstring, although it is not connected to the hamstring injury that saw him miss him two months of the season.
"It's been a week where we've had to recharge the batteries for quite a few of the lads who have had the busy periods, so that's been good," said Parkinson.
"We've got a few injury issues going on and we need to kind of look at those closely before the weekend, but preparations are going well."
Image source, Getty Images
