Wrexham AFC relegation fears have been given a big boost - Phil Parkinson drops pre-Stoke City update | OneFootball

The return of Liberato Cacace from injury could be vital to Wrexham’s finish at the end of the Championship season.

As Championship football returns following the October international break, Wrexham have been dealt a huge boost by the return of defender Liberato Cacace.

The New Zealand international, who linked up in North Wales this summer for a reported fee of £4m, has missed the Red Dragons’ last five second-tier matches as a reoccurring hamstring problem has scuppered his start to life in a Wrexham shirt.

Wrexham have taken 10 points from a possible 27 on offer so far this term and will be hopeful of stringing together some more consistency to claw themselves away from a potential relegation dogfight, although they are unbeaten in their last four league outings.

But the issue has been turning draws into victories, and this is an area that could change with Cacace back in the first-team fold.

Speaking ahead of their visit to high-flying Stoke City, Parkinson has confirmed Cacace will be available to play a part in their visit to the Potteries.

As per a report by The Leader, Parkinson said: “Libby’s been back in full training this week, so he’s looking stronger each day.

“It’s been disappointing for him and for us, but sometimes things happen, and you’ve just got to get on with them.”

Provided Cacare can maintain his fitness for the remainder of a relentless second-tier term, he has the potential to be such an influential figure to ensuring Wrexham are looking up the table rather than over their shoulders in the coming months, with his early impact at the Racecourse Ground and his time at Empoli showcasing what he can offer in North Wales over the long-term.

Liberato Cacace was deemed one of the best signings in the Championship this summer given his vast amount of experience in the Italian top-flight, and his figures for both Empoli and Wrexham have suggested that he can be a massive player for the remainder of the season.

After making his breakthrough into a regular starting role for Empoli in the 2023-24 season, Cacace delivered his best campaign in terms of attacking contributions in the previous term, leading him to earn his big-money move to the Racecourse Ground.

While in Italy last term, Cacare’s versatility was key to his influx of gametime, playing in central midfield, as a number 10, on the left-wing, at left-back and even in central defence, which is something Parkinson could look at implementing later down the line if injuries crop to important players in those positions.

In his roles, Cacace racked up four assists, won 42 aerial duels and won over 67% of his tackles per FotMob, tending to stay forward more often than not and adding an extra creative spark to a struggling Empoli side that narrowly escaped relegation.

And during his opening two second-tier games for Wrexham, the New Zealand international has shown in the second-tier that he can replicate his form at the Carlo Castellani Stadium if he maintains his fitness.

Against Southampton and Millwall, he has already created two chances and had a 72.7% pass accuracy, while in his defensive duties, he has won six duals, made eight recoveries, two interceptions and only been dribbled past once, as per FotMob.

Such a sizeable investment was put into securing the signing of Liberato Cacace, and the full-back has shown some early glimpses of rewarding that trust.

He added much-needed pace and attacking threat down the left flank for the Red Dragons in the two games he’s been fit for, with his performance in the latter especially important as the club secured a 2-0 victory at The Den.

Over the last few weeks, Ryan Longman has deputised in a wing-back role, but the return of a more natural defensive option has been needed for some time.

Cacace can offer an extra source of attacking flair and ensure the Red Dragons look far more dangerous down the left-hand side, while he can be just as effective in his defensive duties, which will be important to making sure the club keeps as few goals out of their own net as possible.

Given his rise in the game over the last couple of seasons, Cacace can be such a dependable asset at both ends of the pitch, and his involvement in the team will be key to how Wrexham’s season shapes up between now and next May.