In preparation for what boss Phil Parkinson described as “a historic game for the club,” the Wrexham manager has heaped praise on his players for stepping up this season in what has been the Red Dragons’ first in the second tier of English soccer since 1982.

Wrexham has secured three consecutive promotions under Parkinson, who was hired by Wrexham in 2021, shortly after Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac purchased the Welsh side.

Now back in the Championship, Parkinson and Co. could yet make it four promotions in a row, as they enter the final weekend of the regular season in the fourth and final promotion playoff spot.

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Currently tied on 70 points with Hull City one spot below them in seventh, and just one point ahead of Derby County in eighth, Wrexham now faces the daunting task of hosting fourth-placed Middlesbrough, who could yet secure automatic promotion depending on the results of those above them - namely Ipswich Town and Millwall.

With so much at stake on Saturday, much of which is entirely out of their control as games take place across England and Wales, Parkinson said he planned to “designate someone in particular on the bench who will be keeping a check on the results.

“I've done that before on the last day or the last couple of week dramas when the results are important. As much as the crowd can give an indication, I'll always have someone alongside me who's monitoring the situation and making sure that we've got the information we need.”

Key to Wrexham’s success on the field will be the likes of top scorer Josh Windass, Welsh international Kieffer Moore, Manchester City loanee Issa Kaboré, and academy product Max Cleworth, who has been a first-teamer since their days in the National League.

Reflecting on how many of his players have stepped up this season in what, for some, has been their first season in the Championship, Parkinson said, “I think hunger can take you a long way in football.

“There's lots of examples of that, of teams who haven't got that hunger and determination, you can very quickly find yourself looking over the shoulder. I think the balance of having those players with a real point of proof has been key for us this season.

“A lot of players have stepped up, and maybe questions were asked. But it's been enjoyable for the staff to help them make that transition as well. But to see them step up to what is one of the strongest divisions in world football.”

While the pressure may be on for Parkinson’s side to perform, he noted that Reynolds and Mac have steered clear of adding to this. “The owners have been brilliant with myself and the staff,” he said.

“They're happy to build slowly and what we did was a bonus in League Two, a bonus last year in League One. There's never been that pressure from Rob and Ryan to say 'you have to do this' or 'you've got to do that'. They're appreciative of where we've taken the club together.

“Everybody's played a part in getting this club onto the brink of the playoffs.”