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Wrexham forward Sam Smith has picked up a knee injury that will keep him out for a "significant" amount of time, delivering yet another setback to head coach Phil Parkinson.
The Red Dragons are now left with just one senior striker fit to play, as fellow attackers Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead and Callum O'Hare are all currently nursing injuries. This leaves Kieffer Moore to spearhead the attack in crucial fixtures against high-flying Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers this week, with young prospect Bailey Cadamarteri also expected to play a role.
Smith made an impression after being introduced as a substitute during Wrexham's 1-0 loss to Sheffield United last week, but picked up a knee problem that is now set to keep him out for the foreseeable future. The 28-year-old is scheduled to visit a specialist on Tuesday afternoon, though Parkinson has acknowledged concerns that the forward may need to undergo surgery.
Wrexham Suffer 'Significant' Injury Blow
Smith went down clutching his knee during the second half of Wrexham's most recent outing, but was able to continue after receiving brief treatment on the sideline. It wasn't until the following day that his knee began to swell, and the League One promotion hero came to realize the injury was far more serious than initially thought.
"Sam Smith has picked up a knee injury in the game at Sheffield, and it looks like he's going to face a significant period on the sidelines," Parkinson told Sports Illustrated. "But as I said to the lads, injuries are injuries. We've got to find a way in games, like we did against Preston, to come out on top and be effective as a team. It's a blow for us with Sam. He sees a specialist this afternoon at 4 o'clock, and we'll know more then.
"It's best me getting that out there now, when his name doesn't appear on the team sheet, everybody's asking tomorrow. He kind of came off against Sheffield, then went back on, carried on, and then his knee swelled up significantly the next day. So we'll just see how the appointment goes today. The initial thoughts are that he could need surgery, but we'll know more after today's appointment."
Youngster Set to Get His Chance
Troubles continue to mount for Parkinson. The Wrexham boss is already under the spotlight following a run of just three victories all season, and now faces back-to-back clashes against two of the Championship's top three sides with only one senior striker available.
Moore has been in decent form, netting five goals in 14 outings, though expectations must be managed carefully for the 34-year-old, who is also due to represent Wales during the upcoming international break.
Wrexham chose not to bring in a striker during the summer window, with CEO Michael Williamson insisting the club was "comfortable" with its attacking options. That call has since drawn increased criticism amid the ongoing injury crisis and the team's recent tactical shift to a two-striker system.
As a result, Cadamarteri looks set to be handed a chance up front over the coming weeks, with the 21-year-old having been restricted to just four brief substitute appearances so far this term. His first involvement in a league game this season came when he was brought on in the 70th minute against Watford back in August, though he is also expected to represent Jamaica during the international break.
Smith's absence is undeniably a significant blow, but Cadamarteri will no doubt see it as the opportunity he has been waiting for in recent weeks.
"Bailey's ready and chomping at the bit," Parkinson added. "With Sam's injury, he's going to get opportunities and more game time, which he's been craving, but he's trained well. He's ready ... he has kind of found himself in that next one in scenario (behind Moore and Smith), but I've been speaking to him, me and Steve (Parkin) had a lot of sit-down chats with him, he's brought his agent in for a chat and we said: 'Look, this is the situation, we bought you in as a young striker to work with you on the training pitch and your moment will come.'"