Wrexham star forced to undergo surgery and banned from flying home from tour

Wrexham striker Jack Marriott could miss the start of the Championship season after an operation to remove his appendix left him stranded Down Under. The Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac-owned side are currently on tour in Australia and New Zealand, having faced Melbourne Victory and Sydney in friendlies before Saturday's clash with Wellingham Phoenix.

Marriott, 30, featured in both matches in Australia but missed the game against Wellingham. That's because the ex-Derby and Peterborough star has been forced to go undergo surgery after suffering from appendicitis.

The NHS recommends a rest period of at least two weeks following surgery and even longer for athletes. Marriott will therefore be unable to fly home until he's made a recovery.

Wrexham begin life as a Championship club in less a month, making the daunting trip to Southampton on Saturday, August 9. Marriott's involvement is in serious doubt, as is that of midfielder Ollie Rathbone, who picked up an ankle injury during their 2-1 loss to Sydney.

Phil Parkinson said ahead of the Wellingham match: "Jack is in hospital, he has had his appendix out this morning so we are a bit short in terms of our strikers department since we have been over here. Hopefully, the operation has gone well but it looks like he is going to have to stay over here longer because he won't be able to fly back.

"Over the course of a trip like this, you expect a couple of injuries but I'm obviously disappointed with those two. Particularly Ollie because we know once Jack has got the operation done, it won't be long before he's back."

Wrexham could dip into the transfer market for a new striker, having loaned out club legend Paul Mullin to Wigan. Mullin, whose 110 goals in 170 appearances helped Wrexham achieve three successive promotions, fell out of favour under Parkinson in the second half of last season, not featuring in a matchday squad beyond February.

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Fellow strikers Steven Fletcher and Sam Dalby have also left the Racecourse Ground. Parkinson's options are currently include signing Ryan Hardie, Jay Rodriguez and Sam Smith.

On Friday, Wrexham announced the signing of left-back Liberato Cacace from Italian side Empoli in a deal which could surpass the £1million which they paid for Smith in January. The New Zealand international joins Hardie and goalkeeper Danny Ward among the Welsh club's summer signings.

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