Joe Worrall insists he left Burnley with a point to prove, and the centre-back will get an immediate chance to make it when Wrexham welcome the Clarets to the Racecourse Ground on Tuesday evening (19:45 kick-off).

Frustration at Turf Moor

The 29-year-old joined Wrexham on deadline day after managing just eight league starts across two seasons at Burnley. Injuries disrupted his bid for a regular place during the Clarets' Championship campaign last term, and his hopes of forcing his way into the first-team picture in the top flight never materialised under Scott Parker.

"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," Worrall told BBC Sport. "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."

Worrall added that there was "more than meets the eye" regarding team selection at Burnley, and said the transition currently under way at Turf Moor, with head coach Nicky Hayen working with a largely young group, has not surprised him given the club's early-season struggles in the second tier.

Worrall's promotion pedigree

The defender brings considerable experience to Wrexham's promotion ambitions. He skippered Nottingham Forest in their League One play-off final victory in 2022, and was part of the Burnley squad that went up from the Championship in 2025, albeit in a limited role. He has now set his sights on a third promotion, telling BBC Sport: "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."

Wrexham themselves narrowly missed out on the play-offs on the final day of last season, and Worrall is adamant the foundations are in place for a serious push this time around. "The club will have learned a lot from last season, but the foundations are extremely strong here," he said.

Parkinson's preparation

Worrall is yet to start for Wrexham, watching two successive clean-sheet victories from the bench, including a 3-0 win at Millwall and Saturday's goalless draw at Swansea. Phil Parkinson has nonetheless praised the defender's early impact off the pitch, saying he has "been fantastic for us in terms of his personality".

With two lengthy away trips preceding Tuesday's fixture, Parkinson revealed the club adapted their travel and training schedule ahead of the home game, holding a longer team meeting on Monday to focus minds on both Wrexham's recent progress and the specific challenge Burnley present.

That challenge could include a debut for Jamie Vardy, the former England striker who joined Burnley as a free agent after leaving Italian club Cremonese. Vardy had previously been linked with Wrexham before the Clarets moved decisively for his signature. Wrexham, in turn, recruited Callum O'Hare on deadline day from Sheffield United as their own attacking addition to the squad.

Parkinson said his side would have a plan for whatever team Burnley select, while acknowledging that Worrall's intimate knowledge of the opposing dressing room, which he left barely a week ago, could prove a useful resource. "Burnley have got good players and we 100% respect their quality," the Wrexham manager said, "but it's about concentrating on our own performance level."

A fixture packed with subplots

Burnley arrive at the Racecourse without a win so far this season, sitting at the foot of the second tier following their relegation. Wrexham, meanwhile, are chasing a first home win of the campaign and will be buoyed by back-to-back unbeaten away results.

For Worrall, the personal motivation is clear. "I think I've got something to prove to myself, first and foremost," he said. "But also to show that I can still add value to a side aiming for the top." Whether Parkinson hands him a starting berth against his former club remains to be seen, but the occasion has all the ingredients to bring the best out of a defender looking to re-establish himself at Championship level.

Frequently asked

Why did Joe Worrall leave Burnley for Wrexham?
Worrall says his opportunities at Burnley were "sparse" across two seasons, with injuries limiting him to just eight league starts. He joined Wrexham on deadline day to play regular football and pursue another promotion.
When do Wrexham play Burnley at the Racecourse Ground?
The fixture takes place on Tuesday evening, with kick-off at 19:45 BST.
Will Jamie Vardy play for Burnley against Wrexham?
It is possible. Vardy signed for Burnley as a free agent after leaving Italian side Cremonese, and could feature in the squad for the trip to the Racecourse, though no starting line-up has been confirmed.