PREVIEW: Wrexham look to return to top six and dent Ipswich’s top two hopes | OneFootball

Wrexham host automatic promotion chasers Ipswich Town, keen to retake their place in the Championship playoff places at the Racecourse.

The Welsh side have seen four successive promotions under manager Phil Parkinson and now sit on the cusp of promotion to the top flight, something they have never previously done.

Facing a Championship this season that is as competitive as ever and with no standout sides, the perfect opportunity arises for Parkinson and the clubs American owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny who have been the custodians of the clubs successes.

Currently sitting level on points with sixth place Derby County in the last play-off spot in a tightly congested Championship mid-table, Wrexham know a win on Saturday will put them in the driving seat to make the play-offs come May.

Just three points separate 12th placed Watford and Derby in sixth, proving how important every game between now and the end of the season is for each of these clubs.

A tense 2-2 draw away at Bristol City will feel almost like a defeat for Wrexham having twice taken the lead, but optimism has been the name of the game for the Welsh team since their takeover and they will need plenty more of it to creep into that last spot.

Wrexham have been bolstered by the return of both Lewis Brunt and January signing Zak Vyner who was signed from Bristol City in the winter transfer window.

It remains to be seen whether the duo will be available for selection come Saturday but Parkinson remains confident.

Elsewhere, Matty James is still out with a toe injury whereas Libby Cacace is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Their opponents Ipswich will be disappointed to have learned that winger Jaden Philogene has had a setback in his recovery from a knee injury that will keep him out for another few weeks.

He is joined in the treatment room by Wes Burns and veteran full-back Ashely Young, whereas Marcelino Nunez is closing in on his return and could feature for the side on the weekend.

The Tractor Boys are playing catch up with the top two in Coventry and Middlesbrough, and after the Sky Blues beat the Teesiders 3-1 on Monday night, Ipswich have second place in their sights.

Aiming for an immediate return to the top flight after suffering relegation last season, Kieran McKenna’s team is filled with quality but a poor start to the season and inconsistency throughout has meant they lie seven points adrift of automatic promotion – two points behind Millwall in third.

A strong win against 10-man Derby in their last league outing was impressive but poor away results away at Sheffield United and Leicester have been the story of Ipswich’s season.

However, with in-form winger Jack Clarke and new signing Dan Neil both having past experience in going up, there is every reason for the squad to have confidence at Portman Road.