Shrewsbury Town boss Graham Turner has urged his side to “put on a show” in tonight’s Carling Cup cracker at Stoke tonight.

Town’s hopes of causing a massive upset in the second round tie at the Britannia Stadium have been dealt a blow with three key players unavailable.

Defender Daniel O’Donnell and winger Lionel Ainsowrth miss out through injury while striker Matt Harrold serves a one-game suspension following his late dismissal against Aldershot on Saturday.

That will force Turner into a reshuffle, but the Greenhous Meadow chief is still urging his side to take full advantage of a rare chance to pit their wits against Premeir League stars. “It’s no good going there just talking about what a great occasion it is for us,” he said.

“We want to put on a show and come out of it with credit. A good result would be a tremendous achievement but it is not beyond us.”

O’Donnell was susbtituted after an hour on Saturday amid fears of a hernia problem.

The centre half, who will visit a specialist tomorrow afternoon, is likely to be replaced by Shane Cansdell-Sherriff.
Ainsworth has a slight groin problem but it is hoped he will be fit for Saturday’s return to League Two action at Stockport.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is expected to maintain the pattern of recent seasons by shuffling his pack for the Carling Cup tie.

Ruptured

Definitely unavailable is £8m summer signing Kenwyne Jones, who suffered an ankle injury in the opening day defeat to Wolves.

Fellow forward Mamady Sidbe is also sidelined after undergoing an operation on a ruptured Achilles tendon, an injury he sustained in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.

Town look to be backed by a sizeable travelling contingent for their first trip to a top flight ground for 17 years, the last time being in November 1993 when they drew 0-0 with Blackburn before losing a replay 4-3 at Gay Meadow in the Carling Cup third round.

Over 2,000 tickets had been sold for the away end by the start of business today.

Tickets will be available at the Britannia Stadium turnstiles tonight on a cash only basis.

By James Garrison