Shrewsbury Town are facing a defensive injury headache as they begin preparations for a daunting run of three successive away games.

Skipper Ian Sharps and right-back David Raven were both withdrawn before the start of the second half of Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over Barnet.

And that has left the duo as doubts for tomorrow’s League Two trip to Crewe and Saturday’s big FA Cup clash at Southampton.

The run of away games is completed at Stevenage on Saturday, November 13.

“David Raven broke down with a re-occurrence of his groin and Ian Sharps had a hamstring problem just before half-time,” said manager Graham Turner.

“They are both concerns for tomorrow and next Saturday in the FA Cup.

“But I always say when one goes out, it gives an opportunity for someone else.”

Should both Raven and Sharps miss out, it would pave the way for Dean Holden and Daniel O’Donnell to be given starts at Gresty Road tomorrow.

There is also injury disappointment for young striker Tom Bradshaw.

He had been called up to the Welsh under-21 squad for the first time for next Wednesday’s friendly against Austria at Newport County.

But Bradshaw has been forced to withdraw from the party because of an ankle injury, ironically picked up by playing for Welsh under 19s last week.

“The game Tom had been picked for is in the middle of next week and there is not a chance of him being fit enough by then,” said Turner.

“I’m sure his opportunity will come again.”

Meanwhile, striker Matt Harrold, who bagged his fifth goal of the season on Saturday, is encouraged to see Town in fourth in League Two — despite the team not firing on all cylinders at present.

“You have to stay up there for when it counts at the end of the season,” said the former Wycombe man.

“We are not quite at full tilt at the moment but if that’s the case and we are winning, then it’s a bonus.”

By JAMES GARRISON