Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill's health improving in hospital as he battles Covid-19

Cotterill, 56, has been in hospital in Bristol battling coronavirus for almost three weeks but has stepped up his recovery and is now able to do more.

The manager communicated with his players by phone again during half-time and at the end of Tuesday's home defeat to Crewe, after which players remarked on how the boss's voice felt 'stronger'.

Cotterill had given an emotional rallying call via phone to his players last Saturday after the excellent win over Peterborough.

Assistant manager and stand-in boss Wilbraham said: "He's desperate to get out of hospital. I'm sure it won't be too long before he returns how and he'll be looking forward to that.

"I don't think it'll be this week, but hopefully some time in the near future.

"Everyone knows how bad the virus is and he definitely had a bad case of it, it's just been a case of a couple of little setbacks.

"But his lungs are getting stronger and everything is picking up now, I can tell from speaking to him his voice is stronger.

"When he spoke to the boys the other night on the phone again everyone said how stronger his voice sounded Saturday to Tuesday.

"The increase in his health is getting more frequent, he's getting better quicker so that's a good sign."

Cotterill's side head to Swindon in League One on Saturday, looking to make an immediate recovery from the setback against Crewe.