Callum Doyle is preparing to face Norwich City at Carrow Road for the first time since his departure, but the young defender is prioritising Wrexham’s quest for Championship points over any sentimental reflections. The 21-year-old, who endeared himself to Norwich supporters during his loan spell last season, has made a permanent move from Manchester City to Wrexham for an initial fee of £7.5 million, and he is eager to confront his former club.
Doyle's return to Norwich comes at a time of heightened expectations for Wrexham, who are keen to improve their away form. While he acknowledges the emotional significance of the occasion, his focus remains firmly on the task ahead. “I'm at Wrexham now and my focus is here,” he stated. “It'll be good to see some faces from the past and I'm sure I'll speak to them. The club itself was well run and the lads and the fans were great with me, and it'll be good to go back.” Read more about Webber Targets New Challenge as Omiya Appoint Former Norwich Chief.
Despite recent struggles at home, Doyle is optimistic that the unwavering support from Wrexham’s fans can help turn their fortunes around. “I think the Wrexham fans are used to winning at the Racecourse and I know that it's a difficult time, but I'm sure that when we get that home win then we'll be good,” he remarked. Read more about Sargent Shines as Manning's Support Fuels Norwich Success.
Having joined Wrexham mid-season, Doyle is adapting to a new environment and playing style. He recently completed his first full 90 minutes in a challenging 3-1 defeat to QPR. “I think you've seen over the past couple of games now that I've played a lot of minutes,” he explained. “I had my first 90 minutes of the season, which felt good. Obviously it wasn't the result that we wanted, but we know that these Championship games come thick and fast. We've got to move onto the next one and get the points up.”
Fitness is crucial for Doyle, who feels he is regaining his form. “I feel a lot fitter, especially in training now. I think the lads have seen that I'm kicking on, I'm feeling a lot fitter, and my energy in the game is more,” he noted. However, he acknowledges the need for improvement, particularly in avoiding crucial errors. “It’s going to take a bit of time, but the last game that we played against QPR, it was our own mistakes that led to the goals. We've got to cut those out if we want to win games.”
As anticipation builds for his return to Carrow Road, Doyle's commitment to Wrexham's ambitions is clear. When he steps onto the pitch on Saturday, he will be focused solely on securing vital points for his new team, leaving nostalgia at the door.