Paul Mullin, the star for Wrexham, has spoken out about pushing through agony as he continues to heal from the punctured lung injury he suffered in preseason.
The prolific goal scorer, who was agonizingly sidelined after his heroics last season, was a huge loss for the Red Dragons in the early going. He was forced to miss the team’s first six League Two games after colliding with Manchester United’s goalkeeper during the team’s US trip.
He played his first complete 90 minutes of the current season in the 3-3 draw with Crewe Alexandra, now on the road to recovery. The Liverpudlian marksman also scored his first two league goals of the season, including a magnificent overhead kick collector’s item, much to his obvious delight.
The well-liked forward, who contributed 38 league goals to help Wrexham win promotion last season, has now thought back on the months he spent recovering. He would finally return from his knock ahead of time after initially being unable to do so.
The 28-year-old explained how it happened by saying, “I came back a lot quicker than intended. One specialist informed me that it might have been six months away. For me, that would have signaled the end of the world.
But because I haven’t played a true complete game since April against Yeovil at home, it still feels like a long-term injury. This was the first 90 minutes I had played in a very long time (against Crewe).
It was the first injury that prevented me from working for more than a week. Although scoring has been satisfying, I know I still need to put in my best effort to feel as happy as last year.
He further disclosed that after his injuries, medical staff had initially informed him that he would need to wear some protective padding on his chest. The former Tranmere Rovers player is still recovering, but it appears that he has already disobeyed their directives in this regard.
I was supposed to wear it for a few weeks, he continued. But I would rather play through the discomfort. To be fair, other discomfort when I lay in bed, my ribs are 100% now. I’ve got to get used to lying on my right side while I sleep.
In the end, his brace was unable to give Wrexham a victory over Crewe, as Steven Fletcher earned a draw for the Welsh team in stoppage time. Coming from behind to achieve a draw in the closing seconds will, however, nearly seem like a win after having a man sent out.
Additionally, Mullen’s first goals for the Dragons since rupturing his lung in San Diego on July 26 will provide Phil Parkinson and his group a tremendous morale boost. Wrexham currently sits tenth in League Two after an erratic start to the season.
