Steve Cotterill still the man behind the decisions at Shrewsbury Town

But, roughly 300 miles south as he recovers from Covid-19 in Bristol, another former Ashton Gate chief Steve Cotterill will have selected the Town side that go out there looking to extend the absent manager’s proud unbeaten run, writes Lewis Cox.

The Town manager’s absence will be felt as his side prepare for their first league fixture of 2021 with a trip to Sunderland.

But Cotterill, who Wilbraham revealed had a ‘rough day’ Wednesday on his road to recovery, still calls the shots on team selection.

The manager also has the final say in the transfer window. Keith Burt, Town’s new head of recruitment and close confidant of Cotterill’s, is leading the recruitment drive, but the Shrewsbury chief identifies the targets and has the final say.

“The gaffer is obviously always going to have the say on the team selection,” said Wilbraham. “We know that, he will ask for mine and Dave’s input, as he always would, but it is the same selection process it has always been when the gaffer’s been in the building.

“He’s well enough to be in that position so we’ve definitely been doing that.

“Obviously we agree on most things most of the time anyway, it’s good to have these chats with Dave, but it will always be the gaffer’s choice, he’s the manager.”

The manager selected the side for Tuesday’s valiant FA Cup defeat at Southampton, but Town were let down by Charlie Daniels barely 24 hours before kick-off.

Wilbraham yesterday confirmed that Town’s priority in the January window was to recruit wing-backs for the 3-5-2 system that has served them well since Cotterill’s appointment in late November.

Daniels has left for Portsmouth and Matt Millar’s loan failed to be made permanent as a fee could not be agreed.

Shrewsbury’s main concern is that their manager fully recovers, but his absence could hardly have come at a tougher time, as the boss would have hoped to put his stamp on the squad during his first transfer window.

Fortunately, Cotterill was able to get early loan deals for Matthew Pennington and Harry Chapman tied up before January 1.

Midfielder David Davis has since joined and could make his bow tomorrow in Town’s first league game since December 28. Salop are eight games unbeaten in league action – seven under Cotterill.

Luton’s Brendan Galloway appeared to be Daniels’ left-sided replacement, but his move is yet to be finalised.

“I’m in close contact with Keith Burt, he’s speaking to the manager, but the manager is still is control,” Wilbraham added. “Me and Dave Longwell just look after the training ground stuff and leave that to everybody else.

“Our opinions are there if needed. There are a lot of rumours, a lot of the time you don’t know what’s what until they walk through the door.”

Former veteran striker Wilbraham spent two years under Cotterill at Bristol City and just over a season under Johnson, who was appointed at the Stadium of Light in early December.

“They are very different,” the interim boss added. “The gaffer’s (Cotterill) attention to detail is unbelievable and Lee Johnson’s a good coach.

“I’ve always said that Steve Cotterill was the best manager I’d played for, as well as Paul Lambert, those were the two. That’s nothing against Lee Johnson, I’ve just always put the gaffer up there.

“But he’s a good coach and person and will do well at Sunderland.”

Sunderland are ninth with two league wins from seven since Johnson’s appointment.

The new boss is yet to register a home league win in four attempts, the Black Cats are without a Stadium of Light victory in six attempts, dating back to early November.