Wrexham star Windass set to return to squad for first time this season

The attacking midfielder was leading scorer with 17 goals across all competitions in 2025-26 and he also scooped the player of the season award as Wrexham finished seventh in the second tier, just two points away from the play-offs.

However, a calf injury meant he did not feature in pre-season and he has also missed the opening three games of the new campaign.

Windass sat out the 1--0 defeat at Middlesbrough in the League Cup first round and he was also absent for the opening two Championship matches - a 1-1 draw away to Cardiff which was followed by Saturday's stalemate at home to Watford.

But after the second successive 1-1 scoreline, Phil Parkinson revealed the 32-year-old is set to be involved against Birmingham as the Reds' boss continues to try to his squad before the transfer window closes on September 1.

"To improve what we've got, the standard of players we've got, obviously you're then looking at a level of really top Championship players and to get those is challenging because obviously other teams want them or teams don't want to sell them," he said.

"We know what players we want, what positions.

"If we get them, great, if not, we've got players coming back off the treatment table and we'll keep building.

"We've obviously got players coming back in, Windass will definitely be fit for Friday and hopefully we'll have a few more in as well."

Wrexham, also without Libby Cacace and Ben Sheaf once again due to injury, came from behind to claim a second successive draw in the league.

Luca Kjerrumgaard’s 14th-minute header put Watford ahead but Danny Imray equalised with his first goal for the Reds who had the better chances to seal victory.

But they had to settle for a point and Parkinson, who saw his side concede a last-gasp equaliser against Cardiff on Monday, is content with the start to the season.

"I don't think we could have asked much more in terms of the effort from the boys. They've given us a lot, and another day we could be sat here with six points," he added.

Parkinson admits Wrexham face stiff competition from Europe for further signings Wrexham held to a 1-1 draw by Watford at The Racecourse 'It's a negotiating game' - Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson on possible ins and outs

"But we're two points better off than we were this time last year, and we're building.

"It's not the worst scenario to be unbeaten in the first two games.

"It's not the best, as we know, but I think the two performances have been decent."