Rob McElhenney shows class with Wrexham transfer decision after Paul Mullin injury
Wrexham fans are concerned that Paul Mullin – who scored 46 goals in all competitions last season – could miss up to three months of football after suffering a nasty injury
Rob McElhenney insists Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson remains in charge of the club’s transfer business – despite Paul Mullin’s injury.
Wrexham’s talisman Mullin suffered a pneumothorax, also known as a punctured lung, and four fractured ribs after colliding with Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop during a friendly on Tuesday. Parkinson was “fuming” with Bishop’s challenge.
The Welsh club fear Mullin could be out for up to three months with the injury, although it’s possible he could return to action sooner. Whatever happens, he will play no part in their League Two opener against MK Dons at the Racecourse on Saturday.
Mullin’s absence has left fans wondering whether Wrexham will enter the transfer market. The forward scored 46 goals in all competitions last season to inspire his employers to the National League title, with Parkinson under pressure to replace him.
Wrexham have been linked with the likes of Conor Wickham, Martyn Waghorn and Troy Deeney since Mullin’s injury. Yet McElhenney, who co-owns Wrexham with fellow Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, will not force Parkinson to bring in another forward.
Parkinson has previously admitted he doesn’t want to make too many signings this summer. Whether or not his transfer plans have changed remains to be seen, but he will have the final say… not Wrexham’s glamorous owners.
McElhenney was asked by Sky Sports whether Wrexham will bring in anymore players during the final month of the transfer window. He replied: “We just keep checking in with Phil. Phil seems to be pretty happy with the squad we’ve got and we believe in Phil.”
Wrexham’s only major signing of the summer is Will Boyle, a 27-year-old defender who’s joined from Huddersfield. Parkinson has previously said he won’t be making many signings this summer because the team is already strong by League Two standards.
Despite only just achieving promotion to the fourth tier of English football, Wrexham were sensational last season – achieving a staggering 111 points. They are one of the pre-season favourites to win promotion from League Two.
“I don’t think we need loads of players,” Parkinson told the TWS Sports Podcast. “I think we already got 20 plus players and if we can bring one or two key players, then I will be happy. If we didn’t and we continued with the same squad, I won’t be complaining.”
Parkinson’s anger was clear after Mullin’s injury, for which Bishop has apologised for. He said: “I’m fuming about it, I’ve got to be honest with you. It was a clumsy, reckless, challenge in a pre-season game and I’m not happy with it at all.
“I haven’t seen the goalie and he’s probably best steering clear of us for the time being because we’re not very happy. It should have been a straight red.
“If it’s not denying a goal scoring opportunity it’s still a dangerous challenge, so if you add the two scenarios together he should have been off the pitch. It’s a dangerous challenge and obviously Paul Mullin is our talisman.”
