Huge boost for Harambee Stars as Wrexham defender makes debut after injury setback
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 23.02.26. | 19:05
Wrexham’s coach later confirmed that the centre-back has fully recovered and is now in contention for the upcoming fixtures
Harambee Stars have received a timely boost after Kenyan prospect Zak Vyner returned from injury to make his debut for Wrexham AFC on Sunday.
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Three weeks after sealing his move from Bristol City, Vyner featured for the first time as the Red Dragons edged Ipswich Town 5-3.
The 28-year-old defender was introduced for the final five minutes, replacing Josh Windass, and made an immediate impact with a successful aerial clearance to help see out the result.
Wrexham’s coach later confirmed that the centre-back has fully recovered and is now in contention for the upcoming fixtures.
“Zak needed this week's training. He'd done running prior to this week, but it was a bit of a broken week with a game.
We knew that when we brought him in, and we want to make sure that he's right when he gets his opportunity,” said the gaffer.
Vyner’s return to full fitness comes at a crucial time for Kenya, with head coach Benni McCarthy assembling a squad ahead of the upcoming international assignments, including preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
In late 2025, McCarthy revealed that he personally reached out to Vyner regarding a possible national team switch.
However, the defender opted to delay the decision due to his club commitments and contract situation at the time.
“I spoke personally to Zak Vyner. With the Championship and the Premier League just starting, he felt it was a bit premature due to the accumulation of games in a short period.
He did not want to jeopardise his situation, especially since he is in the final year of his contract and the club is working on a new deal for him. I respect that decision, as I have been in a similar position myself,” McCarthy explained.
Wrexham completed the signing of Vyner from Bristol for an undisclosed fee in early February, which made him the club’s first addition of the winter transfer window.
He committed to a contract running until the end of the 2028-29 campaign, shelving months of speculation as he had entered the final six months of his previous deal.
The defender had sustained the injury while playing for Bristol City against Ipswich Town on Tuesday, 20 January, subsequently missing matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County before completing his switch to Wrexham.
Now settled at his new club and back to full fitness, attention will shift to whether Vyner could feature in Kenya’s upcoming FIFA Series squad.