Veteran goalkeeper Mark Howard will likely see a lot more playing time at Wrexham in the coming weeks.
Wrexham beat Barnsley 1-0 on Tuesday evening – a superb result that extended their unbeaten home record and moved them closer to League One leaders, Wycombe Wanderers.
Paul Mullin earned praise from Wrexham fans after the clash, while the likes of Ollie Rathbone, Lewis Brunt and Eoghan O’Connell all impressed as well.
However, it was not all positive for the Red Dragons on December 3rd, with one major blow coming in the 23rd minute.
Callum Burton was injured for Wrexham vs Barnsley, with Phil Parkinson confirming post-match that the goalkeeper had picked up a thigh problem.
How long the 28-year-old will be sidelined is yet to be confirmed, but with Arthur Okonkwo already out of action, the Welsh outfit now have Mark Howard as their only fit, senior keeper.
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What Ryan Reynolds and Ben Foster have said about Wrexham goalkeeper Mark Howard
Howard’s only previous appearance before coming off the bench to replace Burton on Tuesday came in the EFL trophy.
The 38-year-old has seen little game time over the last year or so but previous comments made by Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds and Ben Foster show exactly why the keeper is a class act and ready to step up this season and help the club amid their injury crisis between the sticks.
Toward the end of the 2022/23 season, the Red Dragons signed Foster to a short-term deal to help get them over the line in their quest for promotion from the National League.
Howard lost his place as the number one as a result but rather than sulking, he welcomed the ex-Watford man with open arms.
His stance on the situation was met with high praise from Ryan Reynolds, who took to X/Twitter to write: “This is heart and soul,” as per the Daily Mail.
Foster also praised Howard’s attitude, saying: “That’s proper, that’s a goalie’s response.”
Phil Parkinson explains key Mark Howard Wrexham role
Now 38, Howard is toward the back end of his career and has been given a reduced role of late.
He played just seven times in League Two last term but when his deal expired at the end of 2023/24, he was offered a one-year extension.
After signing that contract, Parkinson explained the key role Howard has at Wrexham even though he isn’t playing as much.
He said: “Mark has been good with the young goalkeepers and that is really key for us.”
The Southwark-born star has now been given a new role on the pitch due to Burton and Okonkwo’s blows but the comments from Reynolds and Foster suggest he will be ready to step up for Wrexham in their hour of need.