Wrexham ace taken to hospital after hobbling off in agony in bitter blow for Ryan Reynolds

A Wrexham star was forced off with an injury during the club’s pre-season friendly defeat against A-League side Sydney FC and was later taken to hospital for scans

Wrexham have suffered a significant setback after one of their key players was taken to hospital for scans following a pre-season friendly. The Red Dragons are currently in Australia, gearing up for their first season in the Championship in 43 years.

Midfielder Ollie Rathbone sustained an ankle injury during the first half of Wrexham’s 2-1 loss to Sydney FC on Tuesday morning. The 28-year-old looked to be in severe pain as he was assisted off the pitch by club medics.

Manager Phil Parkinson confirmed post-match that he had been taken to the hospital for an X-ray. The former Sunderland and Bolton boss told the club’s media team the incident had left Rathbone’s teammates worried about him.

He said: “We’re really hoping for him and it’s a very quiet dress room in there, because we have concern about Ollie. It didn’t look that bad an incident when it happened, but it swelled up instantly in the dressing room, and Kev (Mulholland, club physio) has gone with him to hospital. We’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed.”

Rathbone was crowned Wrexham’s Player of the Season last term and even drew comparisons to Lionel Messi from a teammate as he helped them secure automatic promotion from League One. He netted eight goals in 41 league appearances after transferring from Rotherham United last August for a then-club-record fee, believed to be around £500,000.

While the severity of his injury is currently unknown, any time out for Rathbone would be a major blow for the club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they prepare for life in the second tier. Wrexham kick off their campaign away at Southampton on August 9 after the Saints were relegated from the Premier League in April.

Rathbone expressed his excitement about participating in the North Wales side’s Down Under tour before the team set off last week.

“This is what is special about being part of this club,” the ex-Manchester United academy player told The Leader. “Not just being part of the community and working with the staff and the players but to get this type of opportunity.

“There are not many clubs, especially in the Football League, that get an opportunity like this so I am incredibly grateful. The furthest I have been in pre-season is Tenerife and Croatia. I am really excited to go out there and experience it.

“It is pinch yourself stuff, it is incredible to get the chance to do this. As a player, that is why it is so great to be here at this moment in time. It is a club that is really on the up and you get to experience really special things.”

Wrexham initially took the lead in their friendly against Sydney when one of the A-League side’s players inadvertently redirected a James McClean free kick into his own goal. Alexandar Popovic levelled the score for the hosts shortly before the break.

Sydney sealed their comeback in the second half with a brilliant effort from youngster Joe Lacey, who struck from just outside the penalty area. The match at Allianz Stadium drew a crowd exceeding 40,000 spectators.

The outcome was a far cry from Wrexham’s first game against Melbourne Victory last week, where they secured a comfortable 3-0 win. Wrexham wrap up their tour with a final game in New Zealand against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.

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