Jay Rodriguez left out of Wrexham's Championship squad, set to earn about £500,000 in waiting

Jay Rodriguez, the former England international who joined Wrexham in January on an 18-month deal, has been left out of the club's 24-man Championship squad for the 2025-26 season. The 36-year-old forward helped the Welsh club secure promotion from League One with a couple of goals and is not yet cleared to contribute in the second tier.

Rodriguez is reported to be earning around £25,000 a week, which would amount to nearly £500,000 in potential pay if he remains out of the matchday squad until January, when he can be registered for the Championship again. The squad submitted earlier this month includes Danny Ward, Andy Cannon, and Ollie Rathbone, though Rathbone could still be added back into the squad as a late signing.

Parkinson said, "We need Ollie back. He's a key player for us. He’s played at this level and, despite last season's difficulties, his energy and quality are exactly what we need."

Wrexham have spent about £33 million in this transfer window, funded by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but their start to life in the Championship has been uneven. They sit 15th after a mix of results, though two wins in their last three games have helped steady a campaign that began with high expectations.

Manager Phil Parkinson noted that Rathbone could still return to the squad as the club can add one more player, a lifeline he indicated could come as the club looks to strengthen their depth for the grind of the season.