Paul Mullin: What has happened to Wrexham's star striker?

Unusual has become the norm, though, for Wrexham - and for Mullin.

His relationship with the club's celebrity owners led to him invited to play a cameo role in Reynolds' recent Deadpool and Wolverine blockbuster. The 'Welshpool' costume he wore is on display in a glass cabinet in one of the hospitality areas of the ground.

And when he suffered a punctured lung against Manchester United on a tour of the States, he convalesced at the Los Angeles home of McElhenney.

This summer's recovery from back surgery has been more dosed in reality, though. Two major operations would take their toll on most.

A delayed start after a second problematic pre-season - and then missed chances. There have been only nine starts as a result.

All told, it is three goals this term - one for every 384 minutes played, three-times worse than his past two seasons in the English Football League (EFL).

And for a proven finisher, his xG rate is also the poorest among Wrexham's strikers.

"He's right up there with the best I played with and the best I've watched in my 30 years with the club," says Waynne Phillips, a member of the famed Wrexham side that beat Arsenal in the 1992 FA Cup.

"But his season never really got going - and then, ultimately, players were brought in who have done better."

Namely former Burnley and Southampton frontman Jay Rodriguez and 16-goal striker Sam Smith, a striker signed from Reading in the winter window in a deal thought to be close to £2m. Both have started every game since they arrived.

With another ex-Premier League forward in Steven Fletcher, a leading scorer as substitute (with a division-best goal every 118 minutes), and one-time Derby County attacker Jack Marriott also in reserve, there has been no room on the bench - or for sentiment.

"You're not going to spend big money on strikers in January and not start them," adds Phillips, now a weekly Wrexham watcher for BBC Wales, who does not put the omission down to any sudden change of style or set-up.

"And you don't get a place - or even on the bench - because of what you've done in the past. Phil Parkinson is an experienced manager with the promotions to back it up; he's been ruthless with players in the past and he will do it again."

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