He's definitely one for the future – Aaron Wilbraham on Charlie Caton after Shrewsbury teenager's league debut

The 18-year-old Welshman is highly thought of at Montgomery Waters Meadow and, having been included on Steve Cotterill's bench for the League One visit of Doncaster, made his senior league debut with 13 minutes remaining with Town 1-0 down in a game they went on to lose 2-0.

Caton, who Shrewsbury signed from Wrexham at under-16s level, has caught the eye with his attitude and natural finishing ability in training.

The former Wales youth international is understood to have already penned a professional deal at the Meadow with decisions to be confirmed on the futures of several more scholars in the coming weeks – and Caton won credit from assistant Aaron Wilbraham after his league debut.

"Charlie has been doing really well in training and has deserved his chance to be honest," Wilbraham said of the teenager who was given his senior debut by Sam Ricketts in the Papa John's Trophy at Crewe in November.

"Every time he's been up with the first team he's really looked quite a player and a good finisher, so he deserved his chance.

"But obviously there was not a lot of time for him to do a lot but I thought what he did do was competed well, won a few headers and looked to get in the box.

"But we didn't get any service into him. He's definitely one for the future."

The young striker has been prolific at under-18s level for Shrewsbury.

Caton was introduced before fellow forward Curtis Main as Town eyed an equaliser against Doncaster. But, moments after the youngster was introduced, the visitors added to Fejiri Okenabirhie's opener through Taylor Richards.

Former striker Wilbraham added: "He's done really well, the manager is always trying to get young lads involved, he's known for giving people a chance.

"I think Charlie deserves his chance of being involved in the first team, he came on and looked good, he didn't hide, I told him to do what he'd been trying in training and he did that.

"I always speak to the strikers, playing in the position you have that affiliation, to talk to them about little techniques and things, the same with Dan Udoh, Shauny, Pykey and Curtis. You can always try to help."