Shrewsbury Town boss Steve Cotterill remains in hospital with Covid-19 after 'rough week'

The Town chief has been in hospital in Bristol for almost two weeks and Wilbraham admitted the manager's return 'will not be any time soon'.

Stand-in boss Wilbraham says Cotterill, 56, used up a lot of immunity and strength in throwing himself into the Shrewsbury job after his late November appointment.

And the Covid-19 virus continues to hit the Montgomery Waters Meadow boss hard. Cotterill has missed two games and will be watching on from his bed again as Town host Peterborough on Saturday.

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Wilbraham said the frustrated boss 'misses the players terribly', though is still having his say on transfers with head of recruitment Keith Burt and chief executive Brian Caldwell, as well as taking training reports from Wilbraham and David Longwell.

"He's still in hospital. He had a bit of a bad week to be honest, again, he keeps having these setback with little things," Wilbraham said.

"I've not spoke to him a lot this week. When he first took the job he used up a lot of his immunity and strength, he didn't take a day off and he's been hit really hard by the virus.

"He's put so much work in, he's usually such a strong character, I've had several people message me not being able to believe it because he's so strong and fit usually.

"He's just down not being around the training ground and the day-to-day running of things, because he misses the lads terribly.

"He's obviously really frustrated being away, he was glad Burton was called off because it's one less game he'll miss.

"He's still having a say in things but with a lot of appointments with nurses and doctors it's hard to get hold of him at times. It's been a tough week for him but he's doing OK.

"The main thing is he gets fit and healthy, everything else comes second. He's heavily involved as much as he can be and itching to get back.

"It's not going to be any time soon, the minute the gaffer can be back he will be."