Former Sunderland star James McClean involved in car crash as Audi 'written off'

Wrexham's James McClean is currently undergoing medical examinations following a car accident. The ex-Republic of Ireland and Sunderland winger was en route to training in his Audi RS6 around 9am today when the crash happened near Wrexham Golf Club.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the 35 year old's car may be a total loss after the incident, which comes just ahead of the team's pivotal promotion battle against Birmingham City in League One on Thursday night. A fan remarked on social media: "Written his car off and holding a bleeding arm. Doesn't look good. He was walking around his black Audi. Smashed up. Loads of cops."

Images circulating online post-crash depict a severely damaged black Audi being towed away. Although police and fire services responded to the scene, there were no severe injuries reported, and it appears no other vehicles were involved. The club has acknowledged the event, with a spokesperson stating: "Wrexham AFC can confirm that a first-team player has been involved in a car accident this morning on his way to training. It was a single car accident with no other vehicles involved and the relevant local authorities were quickly present at the scene," reports the Mirror. "The player reported to the club this morning and will undergo further medical checks as a precaution."

A spokesperson for North Wales Police has said: "Shortly before 9am this morning (Wednesday, January 22), we received a report of a single vehicle road traffic collision on the A534 in Wrexham, near to Wrexham Golf Club. Officers and colleagues from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident, which had blocked the road until the vehicle was recovered shortly before 10am. No serious injuries were reported from the scene."

The former Republic of Ireland international transferred to Wrexham coming from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee earlier in 2023. In the previous season, he played a pivotal role in securing automatic promotion for the celebrity-owned club from League Two. McClean, who's had stints in the Premier League with Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, is well-known for his polarising decision to not wear a poppy around Remembrance Sunday.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has called on the EFL to step up their efforts in protecting McClean from abuse. At a press conference before Thursday's match against Birmingham, he said: "Occasionally the level of abuse goes too far and I'm not sure enough is done about it. People are quite quick to jump on the back of players for stepping out of line and referees are quick to give people yellow cards. Then I think what are the EFL doing about the level of abuse Jimmy gets on a week to week basis and for me it's nowhere near enough. But unfortunately I don't think my words are going to be enough to change that."