Manager Paul Simpson today set about bringing a replacement right winger to Shrewsbury Town – after hitting out at “underhand tactics” in Chris Humphrey’s move to Motherwell.

Humphrey’s departure north of the border was confirmed yesterday afternoon when the winger signed a three-year-deal with the Clydesdale Scottish Premier League club.

That took the Town boss by surprise, with Simpson confident as recently as Monday that Humphrey would be signing the two-year-deal offered to him by Shrewsbury.

But, speaking after last night’s 1-0 victory in the opening friendly at Northwich, Simpson has now turned his thoughts towards bringing in fresh blood.

“It’s an area we need to address now,” said Simpson. “We thought we would be getting Chris to stay.

“On Monday afternoon when he left training, he told a couple of players that it was all being sorted and he was expecting to sign.

“I had a conversation with him and it looked that way so it has come a bit out of the blue.

“Although I have made enquiries about other players, there is nothing to say at the moment but it is a position we will be looking to strengthen.”

Simpson admitted he has been disappointed with the conduct of both Humphrey – who has been considering Town’s offer for two months – and his agent.

“I’m very disappointed but that’s up to him and his agent how they have dealt with it,” he added.

“We have dealt with it as we saw fit.

“We actually paid him yesterday – his wages have gone into the bank so unfortunately we will have to try and recover the rest of the month’s wages where he will not be working for us.

“There is nothing we can do about that. He has chosen to do it that way – whether it’s him or his agent.

“Unfortunately, there have been some underhand tactics going on throughout the last month which disappoint me.

“We have to take it on the chin and just move on. As we stand, there has been no contact to me from Chris or his agent.

“I believe it has all gone through.

“We have been asked about international clearance. That’s the end of it and we wish him good luck and move on.”