Joe Worrall has made no secret of his frustration during two years at Turf Moor, and the centre-back is wasting little time in looking to deliver a statement. The 29-year-old, who joined Wrexham on deadline day, will come face-to-face with his former club on Tuesday evening (19:45) when the Red Dragons host a Burnley side still searching for their first win of the Championship season.

Opportunities "sparse" under Parker

Worrall managed just eight league starts across two seasons with Burnley, injuries playing a significant part in limiting his involvement during the campaign that culminated in promotion from the second tier in 2025. Having recovered fitness, he found himself unable to force his way into Scott Parker's thinking in the top flight last term, which he says left him "extremely frustrated".

"It was a really hard team to get into after the injury," Worrall said. "I kind of swallowed it up and played like a bit of a backseat role in that promotion season. I really enjoyed it because the lads were great, but I knew going into the Premier League I played there before and did pretty well, captaining the side with Forest and staying up. I could have helped more last year, but my opportunities were sparse, and I thought I took them when they were given. For whatever reason I was just not in the eye of the manager or the club."

The defender also suggested there was "more than meets the eye" regarding team selection at Burnley, though he stopped short of going into further detail. He acknowledged that the transition under new manager Nicky Hayen, working with a relatively young group, has not surprised him given Burnley's difficult start to the Championship season. He was, however, careful to add that the Clarets have the quality to "click and come good" over the course of the campaign.

A third promotion his target

Worrall's Championship credentials are considerable. He captained Nottingham Forest to play-off success in 2024 and played a part in Burnley's title-winning promotion the following year. Now settled at Wrexham, he is targeting a third promotion from the second tier, whether that arrives this season or in the near future.

"I think I've got something to prove to myself, first and foremost," he said. "But also can I and this club do it? Can we get promoted to the Premier League, whether it be this season, next season, the season after? It's a division I've spent a lot of time playing in and it does break your heart. I've missed out on goal difference and Wrexham missed out on the last day, but you bounce back and we're capable of that and pushing for the top league."

Worrall has yet to start for Wrexham, having watched from the bench as Phil Parkinson's side recorded back-to-back clean sheets: a 3-0 win at Millwall and a goalless draw at Swansea. He is under no illusion that competition for places at the Racecourse will be fierce, but the manager has already spoken warmly of the defender's impact off the pitch, saying he has "been fantastic for us in terms of his personality".

Parkinson leans on inside knowledge

Parkinson confirmed that Worrall's familiarity with Burnley's dressing room, which he departed barely a week ago, will be a useful resource as Wrexham seek a first home win of the season. The Wrexham boss said he would have a plan for whichever side Burnley named while stressing concentration on his own team's performance levels.

"The division is very tight and very competitive," Parkinson said. "The games are divided by very tight margins. Burnley have got good players and we 100% respect their quality, but it's about concentrating on our own performance level."

Worrall could face Jamie Vardy, who joined Burnley as a free agent after leaving Italian club Cremonese. The veteran striker had previously been linked with Wrexham, who instead brought in Callum O'Hare from Sheffield United on the same deadline day that Worrall made the switch to north Wales. With Burnley yet to win in the Championship this season and bottom of the table, Tuesday's fixture carries weight for both clubs. For Worrall, it carries a personal edge too.

Frequently asked

Why did Joe Worrall leave Burnley?
Worrall left Burnley on deadline day after managing just eight league starts in two years at Turf Moor. He says his opportunities were "sparse" under Scott Parker and he felt he was not in the manager's plans, prompting him to join Wrexham in search of regular Championship football.
When do Wrexham play Burnley this season?
Wrexham host Burnley at the Racecourse Ground on Tuesday evening, kick-off 19:45 BST. It is Wrexham's chance to claim their first home win of the Championship season.
Has Joe Worrall played for Wrexham yet?
As of the time of writing, Worrall has not yet started for Wrexham. He has been an unused or bench option during back-to-back clean sheets against Millwall and Swansea, with the Tuesday night home fixture against Burnley potentially offering his first start.