Shrewsbury Town opt for a mass clear-out

Of the 13 Town players out of contract this summer, only former AFC Telford United striker Daniel Udoh has been offered fresh terms – meaning the likes of Dave Edwards, Ro-Shaun Williams and David Davis are set to leave the club.

Shrewsbury have also made a move for loan centre-back Matthew Pennington, who is set to leave parent club Everton this summer. Fellow loanees Matija Sarkic and Harry Chapman have returned to parent clubs Wolves and Blackburn, respectively.

"I do feel that it's time for a fresh approach here and I also think the decisions I've made are the right ones for the football club going forward," said Cotterill. "I will never forget that group of lads. I have never spoken to a group of lads from my hospital bed. I was so pleased with what they have given to me and the football club.

"That group of lads should never be forgotten. I wish all of them all the best in their careers. I've had a really difficult day today, to be honest – it hasn't been an enjoyable one."

As well as Edwards, Williams and Davis, Sean Goss, Ryan Sears, Brad Walker, Donald Love, Curtis Main, James Rowland, Ryan Barnett and Leon Clarke have been released. Scott Golbourne had already announced his intention to retire.

But on his intention to sign Pennington, Cotterill added: "He has progressed, he’s still a young boy – whether we agree on terms or not I haven’t got the answers to that yet."

And on his decision to offer Udoh a new deal, the boss said: “Dan Udoh is still a young boy that has plenty of learning to do. I’ve seen lots of improvement in his game. The one area of his game he needs to improve on is his goals, he knows that.

“Sometimes that can drop in a season, but because of his age and his willingness to learn, I’m hoping come the start of next season, Dan is with us.

"We need to agree on terms firstly, but going forward he’s certainly someone I wanted to give another opportunity to.”