PHIL PARKINSON hailed the impact made by Andy Cannon who will be fit for selection when Wrexham continue the National League automatic promotion challenge against Bromley on Saturday.

Cannon, who celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday, joined the Reds from Championship outfit Hull City in December, putting pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal which keeps him at The Racecourse until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Although he started the current campaign with two starts and four substitute appearances for the Tigers, Cannon did not feature again and was given time to get up to speed when he was snapped up by Parkinson.

But Cannon has started the last five games and impressed the Wrexham boss who allayed fears that the holding midfield has picked up an injury after he was substituted midway through the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 win against Southend which kept the Reds top of the table.

“It was just tightness in his calf with the volume of games and a heavy pitch but he’s fine,” said Parkinson.

“Andy is a class player. He’s played at a high level and he’s showing he’s a good footballer.

“When he came in he was under-cooked and it took him a while to get going.

“It has been hard for him but the last few games he has got in the team and showed what he has got; great calmness and quality in possession, and I am so pleased he is showing us what we knew we had which is a very good player.”

Cannon, who ended last season on loan at Stockport County where he won the National League title after pipping Wrexham to top spot, James Jones and Elliot Lee have formed the midfield three for the last two games.

Luke Young was rested for last Tuesday’s 4-0 win against Dagenham and Redbridge and Parkinson said the brilliant performance at Victoria Road meant he couldn’t change his midfield for the visit of Southend, with his captain missing out once again.

An own goal secured victory to extend the unbeaten league run to 25 matches and keep leaders Wrexham ahead of Notts County.

“We’ve got good competition in that midfield department,” said Parkinson.

“You look at the Dagenham game, I thought that midfield three functioned very well and deserved the right to keep their places.

“We stuck with the midfield which won at Dagenham. That’s the way football works.

“Competition raises standards, we have got that across the squad so it is good to have that competition.

“We’ve needed it through this run of games we’ve had and this week is now an opportunity to mentally and physically freshen everybody up, and look forward to a great game at the weekend.”