Defender Joe Worrall says he has something to prove to himself as he pushes for his first Wrexham start following his exit from Burnley, ahead of the Red Dragons' clash with his former club.
Worrall joined Wrexham a week ago and has featured twice from the bench, watching on as his new side kept back-to-back clean sheets. He is now hopeful of forcing his way into Phil Parkinson's starting eleven, though he accepts he may need to be patient given the team's recent form.
Speaking about his time at Burnley, Worrall suggested there were factors beyond football that influenced his lack of game time under manager Nicky Hayen, hinting there was "more than meets the eye" behind selection decisions. He said he was not shocked by Burnley's difficult start to the season given the club's ongoing transition, which has involved blooding several younger players. Despite this, Worrall believes Burnley possess the quality to turn their fortunes around, though his own priority now lies firmly with Wrexham's ambitions.
Having already lifted two promotions in his career - including captaining his boyhood club Nottingham Forest to Premier League football via the play-offs in 2024 - Worrall is determined to stay fit and become a driving force in what he hopes could be a third promotion triumph.
"I think I've got something to prove to myself, first and foremost," Worrall said. "But also can I and this club do it? Can we get promoted to the Premier League, whether it be this season, next season, the season after?"
The centre-back, who has extensive experience in the Championship, acknowledged the division's unforgiving nature. "It's a division I've spent a lot of time playing in and it does break your heart. I've missed out on goal difference and Wrexham missed out on the last day [of their play-off bid last season], but you bounce back and we're capable of that and pushing for the top league," he added, also praising the club's strong foundations and unified dressing-room culture.
Parkinson has been quick to praise his new signing's impact off the pitch, describing Worrall as someone who has already brought a lot of personality to the squad - something the Wrexham boss values highly in his players.
Wrexham head into the fixture on the back of a strong start to their away form, having beaten Millwall 3-0 before drawing 0-0 at Swansea City. Now they turn their attention to securing a first home win of the season, against a Burnley side who have added firepower in the form of free-agent striker Jamie Vardy. The former Leicester City and England forward, who had previously been linked with a move to Wrexham himself, joined Burnley after leaving Italian club Cremonese. Wrexham also strengthened on deadline day, bringing in attacking midfielder Callum O'Hare from Sheffield United.
Parkinson revealed that after two lengthy away trips, his squad's schedule had been adjusted, including an extended team meeting on Monday to reflect on recent progress and prepare for the threat Burnley pose. The manager said he would have a tactical plan ready regardless of the side Burnley select, while also drawing on Worrall's inside knowledge of a club he only recently left.
"The division is very tight and very competitive," Parkinson said. "The games are divided by very tight margins. Burnley have got good players and we 100% respect their quality, but it's about concentrating on our own performance level."
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.