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'Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says the club have progressed “a long way in a short space of time”.

The Dragons are top of League One prior to the weekend games and will go to fellow unbeaten side Birmingham on Monday evening in front of a sell-out crowd of 31,000 at St Andrew's.

Parkinson’s tenure at Wrexham manager began three years ago in the National League when the Dragons faced Solihull Moors on the opening day of the 2021-22 season.

“The journey has been a rapid one,” said Parkinson, who has guided the Welsh club to back-to-back promotions.

“These are the kind of games we were really looking forward to and anticipated when we progressed first of all into League Two and now into League One.

“I think the Birmingham away fixture was one that everybody was looking forward to and it’s a great game to be involved in.

“They’re a good side, but so are we. We’ve both had good starts and it’s going to be great.

“I want the lads to go and really enjoy every single minute of it and appreciate where we’ve come from.

“We’ve come a long way in a short space of time, but equally we’re going there to give a good account of ourselves.”

Parkinson has won the League One manger of the month award for August and his side are unbeaten in five games, only dropping points in a goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers.

They face a Birmingham side who are also unbeaten after their opening four games of the new campaign.

Birmingham broke a club and League One transfer record fee with the signing of Fulham striker Jay Stansfield for a fee of more than £10m on a seven-year deal.

In comparison Wrexham broke their transfer record this summer with the signing of Mo Faal from West Brom for a reported £500,000.

“The top end of transfers in this division has been out of our reach,” Parkinson added.

“As we went into the summer transfer window we realised there were some astronomical fees being asked for players and not what we wanted to spend and what we felt was right for the club at this particular stage.

“But we’ve looked at that and gone down a different route and signed some younger players who are going to grow with the club in the next few years.

“We’ve brought in Mo, Seb [Revan], Arthur [Okonkwo], Lewis [Brunt] and Josh [Adam] has joined us - good young players who are going to improve with the club.

“Of course there’s teams like Birmingham and other teams who have had that spending power.

“That’s great for them, but I’m pleased with the squad we’ve put together. I think there’s good competition in the group, but more importantly there’s a strong mentality and a togetherness.”