Wrexham Key Players are set for training camp at Ivory Coast African Cup Of Nations and Injuries
JACOB MENDY will miss Wrexham’s FA Cup third round clash against Shrewsbury Town this weekend.
The wing-back, who has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season for the Reds and scored two goals, has joined the Gambia squad for their pre-Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) training camp in Saudi Arabia.
Wrexham face League One rivals Shrewsbury in Sunday’s derby at The Croud Meadow, the same day Gambia take on Atlas Lions in Morocco.
Gambia, who will take on Senegal, Guinea and Cameroon at AFCON, name their final squad for the tournament in Ivory Coast on January 9.
Mendy made his first international appearance for Gambia against Ivory Coast in a World Cup qualifier in November.
Promotion was the priority last season but it didn’t stop Phil Parkinson’s men enjoying a cup adventure before clinching the National League title.
The Reds caused a huge shock in the third round by winning 4-3 at Championship high-fliers Coventry City.
Around 4,500 Wrexham supporters were at The CBS Arena and Lee, who scored the second goal in the victory, says it was a day he will never forget.
“It was one of the great memories of last season,” said Lee, Wrexham’s 13-goal leading scorer who has signed a new contract keeping with the club until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
“The away following we took was something the lads have never forgot about.
“It was a great atmosphere that day, we put in a very good performance and really showed how well we can play and how good we can be.”
The cup run came to an end in the fourth round, although Wrexham nearly pulled off another scalp.
Premier League-bound Sheffield United scored a last-gasp equaliser to draw 3-3 at The Racecourse and the Blades needed two late goals to secure a 3-1 win in the replay.
But Wrexham went onto secure automatic promotion and return to the Football League following a 15-year absence, and Lee says the cup was more of a help than a hindrance in the quest for the National League title.
“I think a lot of people saw it as a bit of a negative distraction for us last season but we never saw it as that,” said the 29-year-old.
“It gave us a lot of confidence going into the second half of the season.”
League Two highfliers Wrexham are challenging for a second successive promotion but the focus is back on the FA Cup on Sunday and a cross-border derby against Shrewsbury Town at The Croud Meadow.
Lee has set his sights on pulling off a surprise against the Shrews who are 13th in League One.
“We want to give our best in all the competitions and to be in the FA Cup, we know how much it means to the fans and the history of the club,” he added.
“We are playing a club who are a league higher than us so let’s go and do the same as last season and put in a great performance, and see where it takes us.
“We can’t wait, it is a game the whole club is absolutely buzzing for.
“We love the FA Cup no matter who we are playing against and it will be extra special taking the fans there.
“We will give our best against Shrewsbury and hopefully we come away with a win.”
