Wrexham ruthlessly axe first-team player in huge hint over next transfers after submitting squad for EFL season

Wrexham have axed one senior player from their final squad for the 2024/25 League One season.

The Red Dragons have won three of their four matches in the third tier thus far, in what is their first time playing in the division since 2005.

The Welsh club, co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, were busy in the transfer market, combining deals for experienced names with youngsters who have room to develop.

But while the transfer window slammed shut on August 31, clubs have a period of two extra weeks to submit their final squad for the first part of the season.

Each club can register a maximum of 22 players, with eight of those required to be home-grown.

For a player to be home-grown, they must have played for an English club between the ages of 18 to 21, or to the end of the season in which they turn 21.

Wrexham have 14 home-grown players in their 20-man contingent, with a further eight players listed as under-21 - meaning they do not need to be registered.

But their squad contains the notable absence of midfielder Anthony Forde.

Wrexham have submitted their squad list for the EFL season.

There are still two places available, with Anthony Forde not registered #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/5zwdSPOKX3

— RobRyanRed - Wrexham AFC Podcast (@RobRyanRed) September 6, 2024

The 30-year-old, who signed for Wrexham in 2021 after spells at Wolves, Walsall, Rotherham and Oxford, did not feature in the matchday squad in any of the first four matches of the season.

He did, however, travel with the squad on their pre-season tour, and played seven minutes against Chelsea.

The reason for his removal is unclear.

Forde suffered a serious back injury in January which ruled him out for the rest of the 2023/24 season, but he returned in time for pre-season to begin.

With 20 slots filled, Wrexham still have time to sign free agents to bolster their squad despite naming their final selection.

There is no deadline for signing unattached players until March, but the Red Dragons will still have to adhere by the EFL's squad registration deadlines.