PAUL MULLIN will miss Wrexham's pre-season tour to North America and is also set to be absent when the new League One campaign kicks off next month.

The star striker has undergone spinal surgery to correct a long-term lower-back and hamstring issue and will definitely miss friendlies in America against AFC Bournemouth in Santa Barbara (July 20) and Chelsea in Santa Clara (July 24), as well as the clash with Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place (July 27) when the Reds head to Canada for the first time.

A club statement said: "Wrexham AFC can confirm striker Paul Mullin will miss the summer’s Wrex Coast Tour as he has undergone minor spinal surgery to correct a long-term lower-back/hamstring issue.

"The Club’s three-time, back-to-back top scorer and Player of the Season has managed the injury through conservative treatment following three years of concern.

"However, during off-season training it became evident that this approach would not be able to continue and, following several consultations, it was determined that surgery would be the best way forward.

"Mullin underwent surgery in London in the middle of June to ensure he is fit for the majority of the 2024/25 campaign, as we look ahead to our first season back in Sky Bet League One.

"There is no timeframe as yet on Mullin’s return, who will work through rehab with the Club’s medical department to ensure he can return to full fitness."

Since arriving at The Racecourse in the summer of 2021, Mullin has scored 105 goals and played a key role last term as Phil Parkinson's side finished runners-up in League Two to secure back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history.

After bagging 26 goals in all competitions, Mullin finished as the Reds' leading scorer for a third season in a row and the frontman also claimed the Player of the Season award for a record-breaking third successive year.

Wrexham are back in League One for the first time in 19 years and it will be a huge blow if they are without Mullin - the club’s seventh top scorer of all time - when the action gets underway with a home game against Wycombe Wanderers on August 10.

Mullin also missed the start of last season after suffering a punctured lung and fracturing four ribs against Manchester United during the pre-season tour to America, keeping him out of the opening nine league and cup games.