Comment: Sam Ricketts has plenty to address at Shrewsbury Town this window

Ins and outs, or rather just outs, have barely begun and plenty will happen before the calender flicks to February in what could be a fair turnover.

The main job facing the Town boss, who passed a month in the job on Thursday, is to ‘trim’ his squad – as he put it – but realistically there are a number of players to move on.

Ricketts wants fewer numbers in his playing ranks to help build rapport, but more importantly add to the competitive nature of the squad.

If numbers are down from the bloated size of around 30 players (including youth lads) around the first-team squad, then there is going to be more of a determination that each and every player could be involved.

As it is, several are regularly missing out on matchday squads and, realistically, they know they aren’t going to be involved. That isn’t ideal for the boss, though there is no suggestion individuals not playing are causing issues.

Naturally, moving players on who aren’t part of Ricketts’ plans will free up space in the wage kitty to look at areas the manager does need to strengthen.

Unfortunately, football is seldom straightforward and shifting players he wants to shift is not a foregone conclusion. Some may be happy to see out their terms at Montgomery Waters Meadow regardless of whether they are playing or not.

Examples of players barely featuring are Doug Loft and Kieran Kennedy, both penned one-year deals under John Askey in the summer and it is a likely best case for all parties that they move on to play games.

Other players see their contracts run out at the end of the season and those need addressing, though that is likely further down the manager’s priority list than incomings and outgoings.

An area to address is also loan deals. Three are currently at Town, with Joel Coleman and Josh Emmanuel likely to return to parent clubs after struggling for action. It leaves scope to bring in loan talent to boost Shrews’ position this term.

Another one to look at is loanees returning to Town. Bryn Morris, Sam Jones, Luke Hendrie and Arthur Gnahoua are four senior players who return to Shrewsbury this month. The likelihood is few will be here this time next month.

Outgoings are crucial – Ricketts is likely looking for at around half a dozen to follow Charlie Colkett and Zak Jules, who have already departed.

The boss is in a position where that should not threaten his options immediately, as few have featured, but it would strengthen him for incomings.

There should and will also be a big focus on those through the door. Ricketts has predicted a handful, and has some key areas to address, namely in goal, at left-back and up front.

But before any deals are struck, what an opportunity Shrewsbury have in their grasp today to record a truly memorable FA Cup run.

With Salford and Scunthorpe already put to bed, another ‘S’, Stoke, stand in the way of Ricketts’ men and the fourth round – where they have been just three four times in 30 years.

Victory today could strengthen the boss’ hand when it comes to January additions.

Loan players pondering where to spend the next six months or any players deciding on a Shrewsbury move may settle on Shropshire as a destination with the prospect of a dream tie against a Premier League big gun.

And that is without mentioning the prize money and possible broadcast figures that would head Town’s way, financial reward that could go a long way towards an extra player or two.