AFC Telford eye Shrewsbury Town duo on new loan

Both Shrewsbury academy graduates Barnett and Sears have enjoyed profitable loan spells at the New Bucks Head previously, under former Shrewsbury defender and Bucks boss Gavin Cowan.

The duo were both on loan at Telford last March, prior to the first national lockdown that prematurely ended last season.

And Cowan has asked Shrewsbury about the possibility of bringing the duo to the National League North club for another spell.

Telford also have an eye on highly-rated midfielder Rowland, who turned 19 last month. He is one of a couple of Shrewsbury’s younger academy players to have been allowed to train with AFC Telford earlier in the season – before Town’s current Covid-19 and latest national lockdown.

He broke through into the fringes of the first-team squad in the 2018/19 season as the next starlet out of the club’s academy but was last involved in a heavy EFL Cup defeat in August 2019 and had little opportunity towards the end of Sam Ricketts’ tenure.

Winger Barnett, from Dothill in Telford, broke through under Ricketts at the start of this season with two goals in 12 games but is yet to feature under Steve Cotterill.

Defender Sears, from Newtown, has been sidelined by an ankle injury for a few months.

Cowan said: “It’s a question that’s been asked. I have dialogue with (academy manager) Dave Longwell who’s a real lovely guy and open to continue the relationship. They are having troubles with Covid so it’s not something that can happen (now).

“We’ve had a couple of the younger lads in training who have been impeccable with their character and application.

“We’ve asked around the availability of the two Ryans. But a new manager has come in, I assume he’s assessing the landscape and when the time comes hopefully we’re part of the conversations.

“If we’re patient maybe there’s an opportunity down the road.”

Town academy boss David Longwell recently said loan deals away from the club are the best way for youngsters to develop.

Cowan added on Rowland, who has impressed in gaining experience on loan at Aberystwyth and Barwell: “He impressed me immensely, a bundle of energy and technically very good. If he maintains that there’s no reason he won’t have a career in the game.”