PHIL PARKINSON hopes to have star striker Paul Mullin back within "weeks rather than months".

Mullin has missed Wrexham's return to the Football League after suffering a punctured lung and four cracked ribs during the 3-1 win against a Manchester United XI on the club's pre-season tour to America.

The 28-year-old scored 47 goals in all competitions last term as the Reds clinched the National League title and although Parkinson refuses to put a time-scale on when the frontman could return, the Reds' boss says he is making good progress.

"Paul had the zoom call on Monday with the specialist and there are no complications with the lung or the ribs," said Parkinson.

"He's healing really well so he's ahead of schedule.

"We are not going to put a definitive time on it, we just want to keep him progressing all the time, but definitely weeks rather than months.

"It was as good a news as we could have expected and that gave us all a boost."

Parkinson was speaking after Wrexham beat Walsall 4-2 at The STóK Cae Ras on Tuesday night to register a first League Two win of the season at the third attempt.

Wide-man James McClean, who made his debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon, missed the victory alongside midfielder Jordan Davies and the duo are both facing a spell on the sidelines.

"McClean, in the block tackle towards the end of the game against Wimbledon, opened his knee up a bit so he had to have a scan on Sunday," added Parkinson.

"It is not serious but it is going to keep him out a couple of weeks.

"It's a real shame for Jordan, he has got a slight muscle injury which is going to keep him out for a good few weeks.

"He would have played against Walsall, he would have been in the team somewhere because he has done well.

"We have got to get him over these little injuries he picks up."