PHIL PARKINSON says the return of star striker Paul Mullin has given everyone a huge lift.

The 28-year-old played a key part in Wrexham's National League title triumph in 2022-23 but was absent for the Reds' return to the Football League after suffering a punctured lung and four cracked ribs during the club's pre-season tour of America.

Sidelined for the opening six League Two games, Mullin made his comeback as a 59th minute substitute in Saturday's 2-1 win against Doncaster Rovers at The STóK Cae Ras.

The noise around the stadium was deafening when Mullin took to the pitch, with supporters giving the popular frontman a rapturous reception, and Parkinson is over the moon to have him back.

"I am so pleased," said Parkinson, who saw his side climb up to seventh in the table after extending the unbeaten league record to six games with victory over Doncaster.

"You could see the lift in the stadium when he came on.

"He has been a key player for us over the last couple of seasons and the incident in America was a real setback, you can't deny that.

"You go on tour and lose one of your key players but as ever, you have got to respond to those situations and I feel we have done.

"We have missed him but the lads have done incredibly well while we have been waiting for Mulls to come back.

"We have got Mulls back now and we have got another week on the training ground with him and that is going to be really important.

"Obviously he has got work to do but he is a fit lad and each day he is getting stronger and stronger.

"I thought he looked sharp when he came on, for 30 minutes he put a really good shift in for the team."

Wrexham clinched victory when top scorer Elliot Lee struck with two minutes to go and the Reds are up to seventh in the table, three points off top spot.

Mullin wrote on his Twitter account following the win: "Wow that noise will live with me forever! Thank you!!!

"Go time now @Wrexham_AFC."