Following poor starts to their respective Championship seasons, Wrexham and Birmingham City will both be looking for their first league win in North Wales on Friday night.

This fixture has recently been dubbed the ‘Hollywood’ derby, owing to the significant and high-profile American investment in both the Red Dragons and Blues.

Both clubs were promoted automatically from League One two seasons ago, and while Birmingham took four points out of six from their upcoming opponents last season, Phil Parkinson’s side finished higher in eighth place, though Chris Davies’ side, like their counterparts, will be hoping for a play-off finish this season.

However, the 41-year-old is already feeling the heat following Tuesday’s 6-1 EFL Cup defeat to Brentford at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.

With three critical points on the line for Wrexham and Birmingham, there are plenty of players who can swing the tide in their teams’ favour at the Racecourse Ground, but Football League World has taken a look at the players who will be missing this game.

Wrexham

Liberato Cacace

Liberato Cacace, a New Zealand international full-back, is one of the hosts’ three confirmed absentees.

The 25-year-old appeared in all three of his country’s FIFA World Cup matches, but has not been eligible for selection since returning to North Wales, despite being closely followed by Parkinson for some time.

However, the final encounter in August is one game too soon for his return to action.

Ben Sheaf

Ben Sheaf joined the Red Dragons for £6.5 million a year ago, but has had a difficult season so far after signing from Coventry City.

The 28-year-old injured his medial ligament in February but returned to play 27 minutes in May’s final-day tie against Middlesbrough.

However, despite participating in training sessions and being evaluated by the experienced Parkinson regarding availability, the central midfielder will not be available.

George Thomason

Wrexham have suffered a another injury setback with left-wing-back George Thomason injuring his thigh ahead of Friday’s meeting.

The 25-year-old scored six goals for the play-off contenders last season and appeared in all three Championship and EFL Cup matches to begin the current season.

However, it was reported that the versatile figure damaged his thigh while providing a cross in training, and when asked about the likely prognosis, Parkinson stated before the match: “I believe it will be 10 weeks. Obviously, that will include a lengthy international break, which takes a chunk out of it.”

Birmingham City

Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Taylor Gardner-Hickman is Birmingham’s first of two guarantyd absentees.

After spending the entire season on loan with divisional rivals Blackburn Rovers, the 24-year-old returned to the West Midlands this summer and appeared in the first few weeks of pre-season for Davies’ side.

That was until he suffered an undisclosed injury in a 1-0 victory over Burton Albion on July 22nd, with Davies announcing three weeks before the start of the competitive season that “he will be (out for) months, not weeks.”

Gardner-Hickman has made 44 appearances for Blues since signing on loan from Bristol City, with the transfer made permanent last summer, but this layoff casts additional question on his long-term future.

Marc Leonard

Marc Leonard appeared to be on his way out this summer until suffering a terrible achilles injury in the final week of his loan stay with SPFL club Hearts in May.

The 24-year-old was signed for £500,000 from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2024, but has struggled for playing time ever since, and, as in January, the present injury issue has just added to concerns over his immediate future once Leonard returns from the sidelines.

Marc Leonard’s 2025/26 Championship Statistics

Appearances

15

Starts

5

Big Opportunities Created

2

Key Passes Per Game

0.3

Tackles per game

2.1

Distance Covered Per Game

11.9km

Statistics as per Sofascore

Max Bird

Despite signing from Bristol City two weeks ago, Blues fans have only seen Max Bird play 10 minutes as a substitute against Sheffield United, as the midfielder is presently out with a calf injury.

Davies stated that the 25-year-old would be out for up to a month after sustaining an injury two days before Birmingham’s 2-2 draw with his previous club last weekend.Max unfortunately picked up a knock in training and will be out for a few weeks, which is a setback for both him and us because he came in and made a quick start,” the Birmingham manager added.