Huge injury boost for Wrexham! Arthur Okonkwo update delivers festive cheer for Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney & Red Dragons

First-choice shot-stopper Okonkwo suffered a broken wrist during a League One clash with Mansfield on November 9. He did not require surgery, but was ruled out for several weeks – with backup keeper Callum Burton then going on to suffer a torn thigh muscle.

Phil Parkinson has been left short in a crucial area of his squad as a result of untimely fitness setbacks, but Okonkwo is back in training and closing in on a return to action. Wrexham’s manager has told BBC Sport Wales: "Arthur saw the specialist on Wednesday and got really positive feedback about the way that the bone's healed. That's great news for him as well as us because there's nothing worse than a player to be out injured and he's been back out on the grass with us in the last week."

Parkinson went on to say of four-goal striker Jack Marriott, who broke his leg during a training session in October: "Jack is also progressing quicker than we expected and he's determined to keep knocking days if not weeks off his return to training date. We're expecting him to be back on the grass next week."

Marriott may face further competition for his place by the time that he is ready for a recall, with Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney preparing to make more funds available in the January transfer window – with another goalscorer said to figure prominently on the Red Dragons’ wish list.