Wrexham left-back Jacob Mendy has revealed what Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds told him after his season-ending injury.
Wrexham’s Jacob Mendy was captured in the summer of 2022 from National League side Boreham Wood.
The 27-year-old has gone from strength to strength since arriving at in Wales, becoming an important part of Phil Parkinson’s first-team plans.
Like many players, Mendy started his journey in England through non-league, featuring 118 times across spells at Boreham Wood and Wealdstone.
So, once Wrexham achieved a record-breaking promotion in 2022/23, this was the defender’s first taste of football higher than the fifth tier, appearing on 31 occasions and providing five assists.
Sharing his duty at left-back with James McClean, Mendy’s first campaign in the football league went swimmingly well until he suffered a hamstring injury in the comeback win over Colchester United.
Mendy was forced into missing the final four games and the trip to Las Vegas, with the Gambian providing an update on his injury.
Jacob Mendy says what Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds did after injury
Mendy has had surgery on his hamstring and expects to be back by August or September, allowing him enough time in pre-season to build his fitness back up.
The powerful defender has since revealed what Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds said to him following his injury in April.
McElhenney and Reynolds are known for showing compassion towards the supporters and players, donating thousands of pounds to charities and constantly offering words of encouragement to their staff.
When Mendy suffered what he described as the worst injury of his life, the Hollywood owners instantly said they’d do anything they could to help, as he explained to The Athletic.
“They reached out as soon as they found out how bad the injury was,” said the 27-year-old. “We had a chat. They told me to be calm and patient, that I’d come back stronger and that they’d do everything to help me come back in the best shape I could.”
Jacob Mendy’s future at Wrexham
Mendy will step into the unknown once more next season as he embarks on his first campaign as a League One player.
It’s an achievement he can be proud of having spent many years plying his trade in the National League but there are question marks over his ability.
The former Boreham Wood player has been told he’s not good enough to play in the league above and Parkinson must improve that position.
Regardless of whether he’s good enough or not, the Wrexham boss is short on numbers in that position with just the Gambian and McClean to choose from.
Mendy is also in a similar position to many players in Parkinson’s squad – contract expiring in 2025 – so this could be a career-defining year for the left-back, and he’ll be determined to make the most of it.