Paul Hurst admits Shrewsbury Town bench could be bare following suspensions
Shrewsbury Town look set to be unable to name a full substitutes' bench for the second home game running.
Town's festive fixture schedule has been blighted by recent suspensions and boss Paul Hurst is not blessed with a deep squad.
Just five substitutes were named a fortnight ago while current suspensions to Adam El-Abd, Gary Deegan and Ivan Toney add to Ryan McGivern's and AJ Leitch-Smith's injuries.
Hurst has ruled out making the numbers up with Salop's academy youngsters.
"I think we'll be a little short on the bench." said the boss. "I'm not going to involve young lads for the sake of it.
"But I'm not going to make the numbers up just so people can see we have a full bench.
"They'll only be involved if I genuinely think they can be called upon and not just for filling some seats.
"Three almost ever-presents (suspended), experience in my captain and midfield, with a younger lad up front who's done well for us.
"Losing one would be bad enough but to lose all three – for two games – is not ideal."
