It's only seven games remaining before the conclusion of the National League. Rob Lainton, Wrexham AFC's shot stopper, will miss the remainder of the 2022/2023 season after getting an injury.
The goalkeeper damaged his knee ligaments during Wrexham's 2-1 victory over Bromley on Saturday, forcing an early substitution. As much as it is a big blow to the Welsh club's title run, the ball is still in Wrexham's court.
Wrexham sits atop the National League standings, three points ahead of Notts County in second place. Better yet, the Welsh outfit has a game in hand on its closest rival, with the two sides still needing to play against each other.
With the top spot guaranteeing automatic promotion to the EFL's League Two, Wrexham will fight to finish first. So, prepare for an exciting run-in until 29th April 2023, when the National League season concludes.
Wrexham still has to battle it out with Notts County, among other teams, for the coveted top spot presenting a fascinating opportunity for punters. From the list of UK betting sites, expect various betting opportunities for the remaining month. Outright Title Winner, Most Clean Sheets, Draw-No-Bet—you name it—there will be plenty of competitive odds to choose from as you place your stake.
Manager Phil Parkinson also confirmed via tweet that Rob Lainton would be out of action for six weeks following a knee ligament injury. Interestingly, Rob has made seven appearances in the 2022/2023 season, being picked ahead of first-choice goalkeeper Mark Howard in recent matches.
Lainton's current season record stands at four clean sheets with only two goals conceded. The Welsh club is set to face Torquay United in their final game of the season, and it will be a big miss for the 33-year-old shot-stopper.
It seems that hoodoo hovers around Lainton whenever he plays at Bromley's Hayes Lane turf if recent results are anything to consider. The keeper has failed to complete a 90-minute match in three successive seasons at Hayes Lane. He sustained a near-career-ending dislocated wrist in 2022 and a severe head injury in 2021.
The good news is that Rob recently signed a one-year contract extension keeping him at the Racecourse Ground until 2024. So, any speculation about an end-of-season departure, especially with the recent knee injury, is put to rest.
Despite the injury blow, The Robins can still call on Mark Howard and Roy Watson for the number-one spot, so it isn't all doom and gloom.
