PHIL PARKINSON is optimistic star striker Paul Mullin won't miss many games at the start of the new League One campaign.

Mullin underwent spinal surgery in the middle of June to correct a long-term lower-back and hamstring issue, meaning the 29-year-old will definitely be absent for the pre-season tour to North America where Wrexham play friendlies against AFC Bournemouth, Chelsea and Vancouver Whitecaps.

The club announced that Mullin, a three-time, back-to-back top scorer and Player of the Season, had the operation to "ensure he is fit for the majority of the 2024/25 campaign" which starts with a home game against Wycombe Wanderers on August 10, and Parkinson expects that to be the case.

"Mulls is going to be close to maybe missing a couple of games at the start of the season if everything goes well but no more than that," said the Reds' boss.

"It is a blow but he is a fit lad and doesn't take long to get back. He will have his own mini pre-season and we will get him back as fit as we can."

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.

On his return, Mullin 26 goals in all competitions as Wrexham finished runners-up in League Two to secure a second promotion in a row for the first time in the club's history.

Although Mullin has managed the back injury, Parkinson says surgery was the only option in the end.

"Mulls has had a problem with his back which has affected his hamstring a little bit," said Parkinson, who has seen the frontman score 105 goals in three seasons at The Racecourse.

"Initially, we felt a period of rest would do the trick but it got to the point where progress wasn't happening so between us all we had to make a decision.

"We sat down with Mulls in the summer and spoke about it, that having the operation now gives him the best chance to only miss the start of the season.

"Mulls can't do anything really the first few weeks so he is just resting up.

"We will progress him as quickly as we can but we have got to give him time to heal."