With the international break over, and Wales fans buoyed by Bellamy-ball, the league campaign gets back under way this weekend.

Wrexham and Newport County fans will tell you club football never went away, with the Town their excellent form in the league and cup. County, meanwhile, had their momentum put to halt with a sobering 4-1 home defeat to Port Vale.

Newport travel to Swindon this weekend, while Wrexham have a trip to big-spenders Birmingham City to contend with.

Let’s take a look at what’s ahead of the Welsh clubs this weekend.

Top of the table clash

Wrexham, whose 3-0 win over Shrewsbury Town lifted them to the top of League One, face big spenders Birmingham City on Monday evening in what will be a big test of Phil Parkinson’s side and their promotion credentials.

It is understood that Birmingham’s summer outlay was between £20-25million, which puts Wrexham’s spending into some perspective.

Not to be outdone by their opponents, Wrexham did make a signing this week; Josh Adam has come in through the dressing room door following a trial. The midfielder was previously on the books of Manchester City and Celtic, and signed a deal until the end of the season, with the option of another year.

Wrexham’s excellent recent form has won Parkinson the League One Manager of the Month award, and he dedicated the award to ‘everyone connected to the club’.

Despite their excellent early form, this match may see Parkinson split up the Ollie Palmer-Jack Marriott strike partnership, as Paul Mullin looks finally fit to start in the league. His excellent strike against Salford City showed his undoubted quality, but more revealing was his ability to play 68 minutes, with plenty left in the tank to start against Birmingham for Wrexham on Monday.

Cardiff in Desperate Need of a Win

Sportin Wales don’t need to tell Cardiff City fans the obvious. Erol Bulut is in deep trouble if they extend their winless run at the start of the season to six games.

Their only point in the league came in the South Wales derby, a game where they were outplayed by Swansea, only to equalise late on. The way Middlesborough were able to hold the Bluebirds at arms length at the Cardiff City Stadium was concerning; their inability to assert themselves onto games is the biggest issue right now.

With Wales captain Aaron Ramsey set to miss Saturday’s clash with Derby, Rubin Colwill will be given another chance to show off his talent after his eye-catching display in the 5-3 EFL Cup defeat to Southampton.

Cardiff fans will need their team to be at their best against an inconsistent Derby side, who have won two and lost two so far this season.

Travel Concerns for Swansea’s Internationals

Swansea City return to Championship action against Norwich City on Saturday after some members of Luke Williams’ squad racked up the air miles during the international break.

Eom Ji-Sung, part of a South Korea squad playing World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Palestine, has arrived late in the week, while goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux was an unused sub in Chile’s two qualifiers, having been recalled last month.

Nathan Tjoe-A-On and Zan Vipotnik were also in action; Tjoe-A-On for Indonesia, and Vipotnik for Slovenia.

There were mixed fortunes for Swansea’s Welsh contingent, with Ollie Cooper starting in midfield in the 2-1 victory over Montenegro, while Liam Cullen did not feature after picking up an injury. Ben Cabango also did not feature in either game.

Swansea host Norwich on Saturday, with both side looking to raise themselves out of mid-table mediocrity.

Newport on the short road to Swindon

County will be looking to avoid being the first side to lose to lowly Swindon Town this season when they travel to the County Ground on Saturday. Following a difficult international window, Newport will need to bounce back from defeat and injury concerns.

Defence is the biggest issue for County ahead of this weekend, with James Clarke injured, and Ciaran Brennan and Kyle Jameson both suspended for their red cards against Port Vale.

Centre back Matt Baker should return after Wales Under-21 duty but it leaves County with the prospect of starting with EFL newbies Cameron Evans and Nelson Sanca.

“We will find solutions within the squad, we’ve got more than enough options to make sure we are organised and can compete to win,” Jardim said.

Full Round of Cymru Premier

The New Saints, fresh from their ground-breaking Europa Conference League qualification, look in ominous form in the Cymru Premier.

Laying in fifth, but having played three games less than the others, TNS have scored seven goals and conceded just once in three games. They face Barry Town on Saturday, who are on good form themselves, having won 3-2 against Flint Town and 2-1 at Connah’s Quay in recent weeks.

Elsewhere, winless Briton Ferry travel to Caernarfon Town, while Sunday sees top of the table Penybont go to Connah’s Quay.

Flint Town against Haverfordwest County rounds off Saturday’s fixtures, and a duo of Friday night fixtures kicks off the Welsh sporting weekend.

Fixtures

Friday 13th

19:45

Bala Town vs Aberystwyth Town

Newtown vs Cardiff Met University

Saturday 14th

12:30

Swindon Town vs Newport County

14:30

Caernarfon Town vs Briton Ferry

Flint Town United vs Haverfordwest County

The New Saints vs Barry Town United

15:00

Derby County vs Cardiff City

Swansea City vs Norwich City

Sunday 15th

14:30

Connah’s Quay vs Penybont

Monday 16th

20:00

Birmingham City vs Wrexham

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