’Solid debut’ - Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson lauds Jacob Mendy’s performance after Red Dragons star gets first international cap with Gambia

The 26-year-old wing-back was handed a start in their 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in World Cup qualifying on Monday after remaining as an unused substitute against Burundi. Parkinson kept an eye on the Gambia game and showered praise on Mendy for putting up a "solid" display against one of the more formidable African teams.

Speaking to the club's official media channels ahead of Saturday's clash against Morecambe, Parkinson said: "Jacob played almost the full game, I watched the match, and I thought it was a good solid debut from him against a top African nation in Ivory Coast."

While Mendy's international career has just begun, it was the end of an era for James McClean, as the Irish midfielder played his last international fixture against New Zealand on the same day. Parkinson paid tribute to an illustrious career that saw the 34-year-old earn 103 caps for Northern Ireland, and also shared his delight to have him back ahead of Saturday's league fixture.

"I’m so pleased to have them both back for this weekend," he said. "Unfortunately for us, James got called up earlier than we expected but the main game for him was against New Zealand which was his farewell. It was an occasion for him and his family to say thank you for the support he’s had, but also for the fans to thank them for the incredible efforts he has shown over several years. It’s been good to have them in the group and they’re both ready if selected.”

The Welsh club will look to return to winning ways when they play Morecambe at Racecourse Ground after a 2-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley in their previous game, which grabbed headlines not for sporting reasons but for the ticket-price row involving respective chairmans Andy Holt and Ryan Reynolds.