No plans to recall Shrewsbury Town loan star despite injury woe

But it will not prompt Appleton to bring Stewart back to Croud Meadow earlier than planned.

The 23-year-old joined Brackley Town earlier this month and is due to stay with the National League outfit until January. 

Asked if a swift recall was possible due to Ihionvien’s injury, Appleton replied: “Not really, no, if I'm being honest Callum needs minutes.

"Listen, if Callum's going to have a career in the game and we're going to benefit from him having a career in the game then he needs as many games as he possibly can.

"And that means more than coming off the bench for 10 or 15 minutes here. He needs to play as much football and hopefully we will benefit and he will benefit from it.

"I think there's enough in there to allow him to go and make a career for himself."

Stewart joined Town from Leamington, his hometown club, having scored 14 goals in 23 matches in National League North last season.

But he has scored just once in 23 appearances for Town, eight of which came this season.

Stewart has started both matches for Brackley since joining the Northamptonshire club but is yet to find the net.

Appleton has been eager to give those players not in his immediate plans the chance to go and play elsewhere, with George Nurse also joining Yeovil on a one-month loan. His fellow defender, Toto Nsiala, left the club on a permanent basis for family reasons.

Town, 22nd in the table but unbeaten in four matches, have a break from League Two action this weekend when they visit South Shields in the FA Cup.