PAUL MULLIN says he’s ‘never felt better’ but Wrexham’s star striker won’t rush his return back from spinal surgery.
Reds boss Phil Parkinson delighted fans this week by revealing Mullin - who has scored more than 100 goals in his three years at The Racecourse - will be back ‘sooner rather than later.’
But in a revealing interview, Mullin said that the pain from a persistent back problem he had been ‘managing’ for years was excruciating.
But it didn’t stop him playing a massive part in leading Wrexham to historic back-to-back promotions.
“We’ll have to wait and see on that one!” said Mullin, who was at The STōK Racecourse on Saturday to watch the Reds beat Fleetwood Town 1-0.
“But if the gaffer wants to me play, I’ll always go out there and do my best.
“I’m feeling so much better and the surgeon is happy with how the operation has gone.
“It’s something I’ve struggled with for a while. Because I was managing to play with the injury, I wasn’t sure about having the operation but the pain was getting worse. I couldn’t even put my socks on the day after a match.
“I don’t like taking pain-killers but I had to. That’s when we decided it had to be surgery and it’s proved to be the correct decision.”
It’s not the first time Mullin has missed the start of the season. Only 12 months ago he was on the sidelines after suffering a punctured lung and broken ribs in a sickening collision with Manchester United keeper Nathan Bishop in a pre-season friendly in America.
“I think the impact on my spine I had from that injury made things a lot worse,” added Mullin, who missed the first seven games of last season.
“It was up to me when I came back last season. I played my first game with protection but I didn’t like it so I just got on with it as normal after that.”
The 29-year-old striker still ended up the Reds top scorer with 24 goals in Wrexham’s first season back in the Football League for 15 years.
“I’ll be back in training and the physios at the club will have a plan and they won’t want to rush me,” added Mullin.
“I won’t be putting any pressure on myself. It will all depend on how the next few weeks go.
“I’ve got to say how brilliant the medical teams have been with me over the past three years.
“Let’s face it, I haven’t played a match for 16 weeks, I’ve not had a pre-season so it’s going to take time.
“Hopefully the lads can win the first few games of the season and then I can make a comeback.”
Parkinson is delighted that the operation has been a success and said: “Paul is progressing well and he’ll be back next week.
“He’s a naturally fit lad and I don’t think it will be long to get back and start knocking on the door saying he’s ready.”
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