Wrexham striker Paul Mullin to convalesce at co-owner Rob McElhenney’s home

The striker suffered a punctured lung after colliding with Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop on the club’s American tour.

Phil Blanche
Monday 31 July 2023 10:26 EDT
Paul Mullin (pictured) will convalesce at the American home of the club’s co-owner Rob McElhenney after puncturing a lung (Martin Rickett/PA)
Paul Mullin (pictured) will convalesce at the American home of the club’s co-owner Rob McElhenney after puncturing a lung (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Injured Wrexham striker Paul Mullin is to convalesce at the home of the club’s co-owner Rob McElhenney for a “couple of weeks” before being able to leave the United States.

Mullin suffered a punctured lung on July 26 after colliding with Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop on the Welsh club’s US tour.

The 28-year-old was taken to UC San Diego Health Hospital before being discharged soon after, but the nature of the injury means that Mullin is unable to fly home for some time yet.

No timeframe has been put on Mullin’s return to action, but he will definitely miss the opening weeks of Wrexham’s return to the English Football League, which starts at home to MK Dons on Saturday.

“This Paul thing is devastating to the club but, again, it’s a contact sport and these things happen,” McElhenney said in an interview with S4C.

“He’s OK. I just texted with him this morning. He’s in San Diego and he’s going to come over and stay with us for a couple of weeks until he can leave and head back to Wales.”

As well as beating a youthful United side, Wrexham played Chelsea and the second teams of MLS clubs LA Galaxy and Philadelphia Union on a four-match tour.

The Sky Bet League Two club – owned by It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia creator McElhenney and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds – drew huge media attention and big crowds following the Stateside success of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries last year.

“It’s truly a dream come true,” McElhenney said of Wrexham playing in his home city of Philadelphia as he looked forward to the Red Dragons’ return to the EFL following a 15-year absence.

“I’m so excited (by the new season). It’s almost entirely the squad from last year.

“It’s a lot of the team that won last year and the chemistry is through the roof and (manager) Phil (Parkinson) truly believes we have the chance to get promoted again.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in