'Arthur is a tough character' - Wrexham boss reveals Arsenal loanee is desperate to get back playing

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has revealed that Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo is desperate to get back playing but refused to put a timescale on the goalkeeper's return. 

Okonkwo is back at parent club Arsenal for a minor surgery and will return to Wrexham upon the completion of the surgery . 

The Hale End Academy graduate suffered a broken jaw during the first half of Wrexham's League Two meeting with Harrogate Town on Tuesday, November 28 and had to play through the pain barrier before he was replaced at halftime based on the advice of the club's medical team. 

The initial prognosis is that Okonkwo would be sidelined for weeks rather than months and he will likely play in a protective mask.

"We will see how the surgery goes and we will take it from there," Parkinson was quoted as saying by the Leader. 

"It could have been worse, it could have been better. I think that is the best way of describing it. There's a fracture in his jaw and he is having surgery this week. It's a shame but that's football.

"Arthur is a tough character and he is desperate to get back playing as quickly as possible."

Okonkwo has appeared in thirteen matches since joining Wrexham on a season-long loan in the hours leading up to the close of the summer transfer window. 

The 22-year-old established himself as a first team regular in less than a month at the Reds and has kept five clean sheets in the fourth tier of English football. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: wrexhamafc.co.uk

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