Josh is a wonderful person and an exceptional player. If he can’t participate now, we will have opportunities to support him in the future.
Josh Windass is among the ten new players added to Wrexham’s roster this summer, and notably, he is one of the few to join the club on a free transfer.
This summer, much of the conversation has revolved around Wrexham’s expenditures. It’s no surprise, given that recently, the club announced the signing of Callum Doyle from Manchester City, with a staggering transfer fee of £8 million. Owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney certainly have invested deeply.
Prior to Doyle’s transfer, Wrexham also made headlines by acquiring Nathan Broadhead in a record-breaking £10 million deal from Ipswich Town, contributing to a summer spending spree that exceeds £30 million.
In contrast, Windass came to Wrexham without a transfer fee, and he could emerge as one of the most impactful signings of the summer. He scored on his debut, despite Wrexham’s 2-1 loss to Southampton. However, in the subsequent Championship match against West Brom, Windass sustained a muscle injury that has sidelined him for around six weeks.
This injury is a significant setback for Windass and for manager Phil Parkinson, as it also prevents Windass from facing his previous team, Sheffield Wednesday, this weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday Manager’s Thoughts on Windass
Windass holds a legendary status at Sheffield Wednesday, netting 53 goals in 182 appearances and scoring the decisive goal that led to the team’s promotion from League One in 2023. However, amidst the challenges faced by the club under owner Dejphon Chansiri, Windass opted to leave as a free agent and subsequently signed a four-year contract with Wrexham.
With Windass now likely out for up to two months, Sheffield Wednesday’s new boss, Henrik Pedersen, who previously worked alongside Windass, commended both his skills and character. Pedersen expressed that Windass is an outstanding player.
Wrexham is currently facing a significant injury crisis just two games into the season. During the pre-season tour in Australia and New Zealand, Ollie Rathbone suffered an ankle injury that will keep him off the pitch for an extended period.
Additionally, George Thomason, another summer recruitment, is dealing with a thigh injury, joining Windass and Rathbone on the sidelines. Jay Rodriguez and Andy Cannon are also out with injuries.
Though Windass’ absence is a considerable loss, manager Parkinson has secured a solid lineup of Championship talent. This weekend could mark the full debut of Broadhead after his significant signing.
