Wrexham have been hit hard with the news that Danny Ward requires surgery on a dislocated elbow. The Welsh international sustained the injury during his team's 2-0 victory over Millwall in the Championship at the weekend.

The 32-year-old had a painful fall while trying to catch a long ball into his area during stoppage time in the second half at The New Den. Ward received lengthy on-pitch treatment after he was also knocked unconscious in an aerial duel with Millwall defender Jake Cooper.

The ex-Liverpool keeper, who joined Wrexham from Leicester on a free transfer during the summer window, was later stretchered off and taken to hospital. Manager Phil Parkinson has now revealed that Ward is set for a prolonged period out of action due to damaged elbow ligaments.

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It follows his withdrawal from Craig Bellamy's squad for Wales' World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan in Astana on Thursday. Parkinson told The Leader newspaper: "It is really bad news for us with Danny and more importantly for himself.

"It is a dislocated elbow but when you do a dislocation, you have ligament damage which needs rectifying. He faces an operation on Friday and he will obviously have a significant period of time out.

"I think the specialist has said we won't know until he has actually done the operation and put a timescale on that but obviously it is a serious injury and our thoughts are with Danny."

Ward had begun the first four matches of Wrexham's inaugural Championship campaign in 43 years following his return to his boyhood club at the beginning of July. He was substituted at Millwall by Arthur Okonkwo, who signed for the North Wales side after his release from Arsenal last summer.

The 23-year-old recorded 19 clean sheets for Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, across 33 League One outings last season as they secured promotion to the second tier. Okonkwo is widely tipped to claim the number one jersey during Ward's absence.

Ward's setback will also prove disappointing for Wales after being included in Bellamy's 25-man squad for the Kazakhstan fixture. Despite facing competition from Leeds United goalkeeper Carl Darlow, Parkinson said he believes Ward had a genuine opportunity of starting the encounter.

He said: "Danny was all set to go away with Wales. I think the fact he had been playing [for Wrexham] has got him in a good place for getting back into the Welsh starting line-up.

"I don't know what Craig was thinking but it is so frustrating for us and for him. The goalkeeping department was a problem we didn't really need so late in the window."

Bellamy was also full of praise for Ward's performance at Wrexham just last week. Speaking at a national team press conference, he said: "Wardy has worked hard to get to where he has. He had a tricky spell last year but came through it mentally. I'm delighted to see him playing for Wrexham as well as it's his club."

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