Is Paul Mullin injured? Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson explains why he made 11 changes for Crewe clash & issues fitness update on key forwards ahead of Salford test

The prolific Dragons striker suffered a punctured lung during pre-season – when facing Manchester United in the United States – and has been eased into action during the 2023-24 campaign. He has been back on the goal trail, but Parkinson is wary of asking too much from the talismanic 28-year-old frontman.

Wrexham made 11 changes to their team for an EFL Trophy clash with Crewe in midweek, with Parkinson shuffling his pack as the likes of Mullin, Elliot Lee and Ollie Palmer need to be handled with care. Parkinson has told The Leader when explaining his selection choices and delivering an injury update: “There were a few carrying niggles, not major things. Ollie Palmer's thigh was tight, Steven Fletcher with his knee while Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin both had little things. We just needed to get them right this week because it was a tough week last week but we were pleased to come through it. We decided to keep them back at base camp against Crewe and have a younger bench because equally, it was good for the younger players to get a taste of what it is like to be in a first team dressing room.”

Wrexham have collected a couple of red cards in recent weeks, while also seeing players ruled out through injury, so Parkinson is delighted to now have selection difficulties after seeing Wrexham ease their way to a 3-0 victory over Crewe. He added: “That is what you always want when you make so many changes. We have lost players in certain positions, a couple of suspensions.”

Parkinson will be piecing together another starting XI on Saturday when Wrexham play host to the Salford City side co-owned by Manchester United ‘Class of ‘92’ legends Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham – with there every chance that Mullin will be involved in that fixture.