Championship news

Oliver Rathbone stole the limelight after coming on as a late substitute as Wrexham held Watford to an exciting 2-2 draw at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday. The Red Dragons scored but they soon gave up on the lead as Watford went ahead just before the break. Phil Parkinson's decision to put Rathbone on the pitch late in the game, however, proved to be a masterclass as his team walked away with a point.

Wrexham’s historic FA Cup third-round home tie against Premier League side Nottingham Forest has been chosen for live broadcast on TNT Sports, marking another major moment in the Red Dragons' rapid rise. Phil Parkinson’s Championship outfit will host the top-flight visitors at the SToK Cae Ras on Friday, January 9, in a nationally televised showdown.

How to watch the Championship match between Wrexham and Watford, as well as kick-off time and team news

Wrexham spent big in the summer of 2025, but former Red Dragons boss Dean Saunders has told GOAL why Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac will likely make more funds available in the January transfer window. The ambitious Welsh outfit are looking competitive in the Championship, with collective sights locked on winning promotion to the Premier League.

Michail Antonio is reportedly training with Championship side Leicester as he seeks to make a sensational return to professional football. The 35-year-old forward has been without a club since being released by West Ham in the summer of 2025. No fresh terms were offered there on the back of Antonio suffering a near-fatal car crash in December 2024. He is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.

Talks are underway between Manchester United and Wrexham for the two clubs to take part in a headline-grabbing friendly next summer in pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 season. Scandinavia has been touted as a possible destination but nothing is yet confirmed, as discussions continue. The two clubs last faced each other in a friendly in July 2023 in San Diego in the United States, with Wrexham coming out 3-1 winners against a youthful Red Devils side.

Phil Parkinson was hugely disappointed with Wrexham’s performance in a 2-0 defeat at Hull City, with an “honest chat” taking place behind the scenes. The Red Dragons saw a nine-match unbeaten run in Championship competition come to a shuddering halt when paying a visit to East Yorkshire. Parkinson is now demanding an immediate response from his players.

Wrexham's seven-match unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end on Wednesday as they went down 2-0 against a dominant Hull City on the road. The Red Dragons' star forward Kieffer Moore had a night to forget as his two costly misses cost Phil Parkinson's side crucial points. Wrexham have dropped to 14th place in the second tier after the defeat.

Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have sold a minority Wrexham stake to new Atletico Madrid owners Apollo Sports Capital. The fresh round of investment will provide added funding for the club's stadium redevelopment. The iconic Racecourse Ground is undergoing a serious facelift as the Red Dragons remain focused on fulfilling their dream of competing in the Premier League.

U.S. international Josh Sargent provided a rare bright spot for Norwich City during their 3-2 defeat to Watford, finding the net with an 11th-minute header to temporarily put the Canaries ahead. The American forward's early strike marked a significant personal milestone, ending a frustrating 14-game goalless run in the Championship that had stretched across several months of the 2025 season.

Wrexham made it nine matches unbeaten in the Championship but saw all three points stolen away from them at Deepdale as teenager Harrison Armstrong equalised late on for Preston North End. The Red Dragons had led ever since the fourth minute through a simple Kieffer Moore finish, with James McClean clearing off the line and Arthur Okonkwo making a string of top-class saves before Preston equalised to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw between two sides with play-off ambitions.

The Championship side have confirmed that a supporter has tragically died following a medical emergency at The Valley on Saturday afternoon. The fixture between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth was halted in the 12th minute while staff dealt with the incident. After a delay, referee Matthew Donohue told the players to return to the dressing rooms, and the match was later called off.

Brenden Aaronson is fighting for minutes at Leeds, Johnny Cardoso needs fitness at Atlético, and both Weston McKennie and Haji Wright have chances to make statements in key matches across Europe.

Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac and Wrexham have been warned off a shock swoop for England international Raheem Sterling. The Premier League title winner currently finds himself stuck in the infamous ‘bomb squad’ at Chelsea. A January move is expected to be agreed, as Sterling gets his career back on track, with it being suggested that he could head to the Championship.

More big names are expected to join Tom Brady at Birmingham, with Stephen Carr telling GOAL why marquee signings in the transfer market can be completed. The former Blues defender has also been discussing, in an exclusive interview, why plans for a new stadium - which could attract NFL games - and Premier League promotion dreams can come to fruition.

Brandon Williams’ attempts to rebuild his career away from Old Trafford appear to be stalling once again, with Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic confirming that discussions are underway regarding a potential January departure. The 25-year-old, who arrived in East Yorkshire only in mid-August, has barely had the opportunity to make an impact, and already his short stay looks destined to end prematurely.

Mauricio Pochettino faces plenty of selection posers ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the USMNT looking to piece together a squad that can be competitive on the grandest of stages. They will need plenty of firepower in order to make that possible, with Brad Friedel discussing a striker pool that includes Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent during an exclusive interview with GOAL.