Wrexham AFC Manager Phil Parkinson Is Due An Update On Young Star Injury

Wrexham AFC Manager Phil Parkinson Is Due An Update On Young Star Injury

PHIL PARKINSON is waiting to discover the extent of Arthur Okonkwo’s jaw injury but the Wrexham manager felt Mark Howard proved what a good goalkeeper he is after returning to the side.

Okonkwo, brought in on a season-long loan from Arsenal, took over from Howard between the posts at the end of September but was forced off at half-time in last Tuesday’s 2-2 League Two draw with Harrogate Town, with Howard back in the team for Sunday’s 3-0 win against Yeovil in the FA Cup second round.

 

Parkinson will know more about the severity of Okonkwo’s injury after having further consultation with a specialist but he praised Howard for the way he performed in the cup victory, with the 37-year-old pulling off one save of note in the first-half.

 

“We will know more on Monday with Arthur,” said the Reds’ boss. “He is getting another opinion from the specialist.

 

 

“He is a very experienced, accomplished goalkeeper and he made a really good save which was a key moment and gave the back-three a nice calmness.”

 

A number of other players are currently sidelined and Parkinson was dealt another injury blow when Aaron Hayden limped off in the first-half.

“It is very frustrating for us,” said Parkinson.

 

“Aaron said his calf tightened up but we really don’t know (how bad it is yet) so it is pointless me speculating on the extent of it.”

 

First-half goals from Ollie Palmer and Andy Cannon and substitute Sam Dalby’s stoppage-time strike dumped out National League South leaders Yeovil, and Wrexham’s reward is a derby away at League One outfit Shrewsbury Town in early January.

 

Parkinson felt it was a job well done against Yeovil.

 

“It was a professional performance from us. These games are never easy,” said Parkinson.

 

“We had to work for it, we were patient with the ball in the first half and the moments came with two good goals. The intention was to go and kill the game off early in the second period, but credit to Yeovil.

 

“They didn’t give in, they kept playing and we couldn’t quite find that final pass to set a chance up to kill the game off until the very last minute when Dalby scored a really good goal.

 

“I’m just pleased to get through.

 

“When the draw came out before the game, everyone starts looking one eye on Shrewsbury, which I think is a great draw for us and an exciting one for the club, but the job had to be done here first and we’ve done it.”

 

Parkinson named a strong side and he added: “Everyone wants to be involved in the FA Cup and it is a chance to get into the third round.

 

“We have got a rich tradition as a club in the FA Cup and I said to the lads, it is very important pulling on a Wrexham shirt playing in the FA Cup that we respect the competition and the history of our club.

 

“I feel we have done that with the team selection and the performance.”