Rekeil Pyke must fight for his Shrewsbury Town place

The 23-year-old was a major signing last summer, penning a three-year deal under former manager Sam Ricketts, who worked with him at Wrexham.

But Pyke has not been seen since the second League One matchday of the season, a 2-1 home defeat to Northampton, in which he picked up a thigh injury.

Pyke has been back in training for around a fortnight though it is understood, like goalkeeper Matija Sarkic previously, he was not part of the registered League One squad due to injury.

The January window is open and players can be registered in or out of the 22-man league squad, though Cotterill admits the likes of Daniel Udoh and Shaun Whalley have taken chances that have come their way and Pyke must work hard to make an impression.

“He’s been back training, probably for about 10 days or so, maybe for two weeks,” Cotterill said ahead of Town’s last game, against Blackpool.

“But we can’t shoehorn someone in the team just because someone is fit.

“The team has ended up with other players up front.

“If I’d have walked through the door and the players that are playing up front are injured, then Riki Pyke would’ve had an opportunity in the starting line-up.

“As far as I know, we’re still only allowed 11 players on the pitch and seven on the bench, we can’t change that until something else changes.

“So people who are out of the team, all I would say at the moment is they need to remember what they are feeling right now.

“Because when you’re in the team, you want to make sure you are not out of it and then feeling as down as you are when you’re not in the squad now.

“I’ll be working off with those players after what they have done so far. I will be very loyal to players, as long as they give me everything. That’s where I will be with it.”

Pyke, who joined on a free transfer from Huddersfield, made just three appearances for Town before his injury. He netted on his debut in the EFL Cup defeat at Middlesbrough.

Meanwhile, Covid testing across all EFL clubs, including Shrewsbury, is to taking place this week.

Town had two positive cases within the playing squad last week, which resulted in the home fixture against Crewe last Saturday being postponed. The club have trained since those results were returned.

Town’s first positive case came to light seven days ago. Both individuals have remained anonymous due to medical confidentiality.

Testing has not previously taken place regularly at lower league clubs, unlike in the Premier League, but a spike in cases has brought a change in approach.

The outcome of test results across clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two will have an impact on FA Cup third round ties, scheduled to take place this weekend.

Cotterill’s Town are due to travel to Premier League side Southampton but any further positive cases within the squad could see the tie in jeopardy.

Testing is being funded by the FA and must take place 72 hours before the ties.

FA competition rules state an independent panel has full discretion on whether a club is unable to fulfil their tie.