PHIL PARKINSON admits it is a big blow losing number one goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo but he feels Callum Burton showed he is a more than capable replacement in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Stockport County at Edgeley Park.

Okonkwo will be out of action for at least six weeks after suffering a broken wrist.

The 23-year-old had a scan on his wrist after picking up an injury in last Saturday's 1-0 win against Mansfield Town when he kept his eighth clean sheet in 14 League One outings this season and is now facing a spell on the sidelines.

Burton, restricted to appearances in cup competitions since joining Wrexham from Plymouth Argyle in the summer, came into the side for his league debut against Stockport and made a string of fine saves but was powerless to prevent Louis Barry's stunning 24th minute strike from finding the back of the net as the Reds lost against their rivals.

"I thought Callum was excellent," said Parkinson.

"Obviously you can't be pleased when you are on the losing team but he showed what we know that he is a good, accomplished goalkeeper.

"It was a very good performance from Callum and I am pleased for him because it is never easy.

"But he had 45 minutes against Port Vale on Tuesday, he has played in the EFL Trophy this season and done really well."

Ever present in the league this season until he sustained the injury, Okonkwo only conceded 10 goals in 14 outings.

"Arthur has been good for us," said Parkinson.

"He carried on in the game last week, he came in on Monday and his wrist was swollen so we sent him for what we thought was a precautionary x-ray and it came back with a break.

"It is a blow but we have got Callum and Mark Howard who are both good goalkeepers."

Wrexham's injury list is mounting with Okonkwo joining top scorer Jack Marriott, George Evans, Steven Fletcher, James Jones, Will Boyle and Luke Bolton on the sidelines.

Parkinson says the Reds will deal with the absentees, adding: "We have got the squad to make changes from game to game or within a game as we have shown."