Paul Mullin returns to Wrexham AFC: Stockport, Chesterfield, Cambridge should act ASAP | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at three clubs who should sign Paul Mullin following the striker's return to Wrexham.

Paul Mullin has returned to Championship outfit Wrexham following a somewhat underwhelming loan stint with League One side Wigan Athletic.

Despite returning to North Wales on Monday, Mullin remains Wigan's joint-top scorer in the third tier this term, with four goals in 20 league appearances for Ryan Lowe's men.

The 31-year-old displayed some promise by scoring against the likes of Rotherham United and Lincoln City, but he was not named in Lowe's starting 11 after scoring in a 2-0 win over Burton Albion in early December.

Mullin's lack of game time for the Latics came despite the fact that fellow summer signings Dara Costelloe and Christian Saydee have largely struggled for form in front of goal.

The former Tranmere Rovers man also failed to display the same clinical instincts that helped Wrexham achieve three consecutive promotions from the National League to the Championship.

Football League World takes a look at three clubs who can help the striker reignite his best form in the final third, while striving to achieve their respective goals by signing him on loan or permanently.

Stockport County

Stockport County finished third in League One last season, and once again find themselves in the thick of a third-tier playoff battle, with less than half of the campaign remaining.

However, the Hatters are not as free-scoring as promotion rivals such as Huddersfield Town and Lincoln, even though club top scorer Kyle Wooton has notched 10 league goals this term.

While Mullin struggled at League One level for Wigan, Stockport boast greater creativity than their Greater Manchester neighbours, thanks to gifted players such as Oliver Norwood and Jack Diamond.

The 31-year-old could benefit from that kind of service, and help secure a top six spot for Dave Challinor's men.

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Chesterfield have established themselves as a League Two promotion contender after celebrating their National League title triumph back in 2024.

However, the Derbyshire outfit's top scorer in the fourth tier this term, Lee Bonis, has notched just seven goals in 25 league appearances.

With fellow striker Will Grigg struggling to emulate his fine form, as seen in previous seasons, Chesterfield could bolster their promotion credentials by landing Mullin's signature.

In the 2023/24 season, Mullin's last campaign in League Two, he notched an impressive return of 24 goals and six assists, so Paul Cook's Spireites may even trouble the automatic promotion spots if they sign the ex-Wigan man.

Cambridge United

Chesterfield's fourth-tier promotion rivals, Cambridge United, have previously benefited from Mullin's clinical instincts in the final third, and should be enthused by his likely availability.

The 31-year-old fired the U's to promotion from League Two at the end of the 2020/21 season by scoring 32 goals and creating four assists in 46 fourth-tier appearances.

Neil Harris's men have not lost since their 2-0 defeat at Notts County on 25 October, and deservedly occupy one of the fourth tier's play-off spots.

The potential addition of the prolific Mullin could not only strengthen Cambridge's top-seven chances, but also boost their automatic promotion credentials.