Wrexham baffled by latest Cacace setback

Phil Parkinson admitted Wrexham staff have been left scratching their heads after full-back Liberto Cacace suffered another fitness setback.

New Zealand international Cacace has endured an injury-hit spell at Wrexham, with regular fitness issues restricting him to just 13 games for the club, but he did play three games at this summer's World Cup.

The 26-year-old faces another unspecified period out of action having re-injured his calf, with Parkinson describing the circumstances as a "mystery".

Cacace, who joined last July from Empoli, saw a specialist in London earlier this week as the Red Dragons seek to get to the bottom of his fitness problems.

"Libby, unfortunately, keeps having recurrences of calf injuries. It is very difficult for us all and him to explain why that is happening," said Parkinson.

"We can't quite work that out. We have got him close a couple of times, and he's either picked up a fresh injury or injured the same [calf].

"They have been baffling because we bought a player who had a great [injury] record. We can't quite work out why, and it's not for lack of trying.

"Our medical department has done everything, and so has Libby himself. We will get there with him. He's very committed and professional.

"But he's had a period of mysterious circumstances surrounding his injuries.

"We have the scan reports to show the injuries are there, but the circumstances as to how they have happened have left us scratching our heads a bit.

"We will get to the bottom of it. We will find a solution, but I have to be honest that he won't be with us for some time."

Parkinson was unwilling to reveal which injured players are fit again to face Derby County on Saturday, 10 October, preferring instead to keep the Rams guessing.

But the 58-year-old did indicate that Ollie Rathbone and Danny Imray are closer than the others after missing the 2-1 win over Saints before the break.

Nathan Broadhead, Max Cleworth and George Thomason have also missed recent Championship action.

"I'm not going to rule anybody in or out because I don't want to give too many clues away to Derby, but the majority of that group are on the grass," he explained.

"Where they are and how close they are to get back is something we will know in the next couple of days."

Wrexham team-mate Ben Whiteman expressed his support for Cacace during what the midfielder expects has been a "frustrating" period with injury.

Whiteman, a summer signing from Preston, is yet to play alongside the Kiwi, but noted that Cacace is a positive presence at Colliers Park.

"I've not really trained with Lib. I know what a good lad he has been around the place. He's always bright," said Whiteman.

"As lads, we are all here for him, especially when these setbacks happen. It must be really frustrating because different things can make injuries happen.

"I'm sure we will get to the bottom of it, and we are really looking forward to playing with him."