26 November 2023 , 12:05
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Wrexham defender Jacob Mendy marked his return from international duty with a goal for his club on Saturday.
Mendy was named on the bench on Saturday against Morecambe, but would not have to wait long to enter the fray. With an injury to Anthony Forde in the 27th minute, Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson introduced Mendy into the action and he scored his side's third goal eight minutes later before Wrexham went on to win 6-0 at the Racecourse Ground.
Mendy was called up to the Gambia squad during the November international break and the left-back went on to make his debut for his country in a 2-0 loss to the Ivory Coast, playing nearly the full 90 minutes before being substituted in stoppage time.
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The 26-year-old was signed by Wrexham during the summer of 2022 from Boreham Wood and helped the Red Dragons secure promotion to the EFL with the National League title in his first season. Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney signed off on the transfer for Mendy last year and just over 12 months on from the deal, the defender has scored in the EFL and earned his first international cap.
"Still processing it! Just wanted to thank everyone for the support and the messages I’ve received and I’m still receiving," Mendy wrote on social media, after making his first appearance for his country. "Really appreciate it. Hungry for more."
After helping Wrexham claim a memorable win, and move into the automatic promotion places, Mendy spoke to the club media about his call-up for Gambia. The defender went on to explain how delighted he felt to play an important role for club and country over the past week.
"It's been an unbelievable week for me," Mendy told Wrexham's YouTube channel. "First of all, getting the call-up and then getting to make my debut. I know not just me, but my friends and my family are really proud of me. The coming back here, [my] first game back, and being able to be on the scoresheet. It's just been great."
Jacob Mendy was called up to the Gambia squad during the international break (Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Before the win over Morecambe, Parkinson spoke about Mendy's call-up to the Gambia squad. James McClean was also on international duty during the break with the Republic of Ireland, and Parkinson went on to explain what he noticed from Mendy's performance against the Ivory Coast.
“I’m so pleased to have them [Mendy and McClean] both back for this weekend," said Parkinson, via the Wrexham club website on November 24. "Jacob played almost the full game, I watched the match, and I thought it was a good solid debut from him against a top African nation in Ivory Coast."