Wrexham are preparing for a busy week of transfer activity following the departure of club captain James McClean. The 36-year-old former Republic of Ireland international has left the club by mutual consent to join Derry City, with limited playing time and a desire to end his career at his hometown club cited as reasons for the move.
McClean's exit was confirmed on Saturday, shortly after Wrexham's 2-1 home defeat to Norwich City ended their four-match winning run in the Championship. Despite the setback, the Red Dragons remain tenth in the table, three points adrift of the play-off places ahead of Tuesday's clash with Leicester City.
Manager Phil Parkinson now faces key decisions in the January transfer window, which closes at 7pm on Monday, February 2. Striker Jake Bickerstaff has already completed a permanent move to Cheltenham Town, and two further departures could be finalised this week.
Paul Mullin, a talismanic figure who scored 110 goals in 172 appearances across three successive promotions, is out of favour after a loan spell at Wigan Athletic was cut short. Parkinson has not yet decided on the 31-year-old's future, but another temporary move appears likely. 'We need to find the right route for him from now until the end of the season,' Parkinson told The Leader.
Midfielder Elliot Lee, another promotion hero, has also been told he can leave on loan after failing to make a Championship appearance this season. Parkinson confirmed one potential deal fell through but remains hopeful of arranging another before the deadline. 'He wants to go on loan and get some game time so we respect that,' he said.
