Shrewsbury Town boss Steve Cotterill has big calls ahead

The Shrews chief is meeting individually with each senior member of his first-team squad – those in and out of contract – to lay out his plans moving forward.

Fourteen Town contracts expire in June, though Shaun Whalley has triggered a one-year extension and Scott Golbourne has announced his retirement.

It will be the first time the boss has been able to conduct one-on-one talks in person with his players since late December, shortly before which he was taken ill.

“It must be so tough, I’ve obviously been there as a player for the last 24 years,” Wilbraham said. “To be on the other side of it now – I wouldn’t want to put myself in the manager’s shoes, because it’s hard decisions that need to be made.

“But the manager has done this for 27 years, so he knows what he’s doing and I’m sure he’ll make the right choices, when he decides.”

Big changes are expected as former Bristol City League One-winning boss Cotterill prepares for a first summer transfer window in charge of Shrewsbury.

Wilbraham added: “He’s never really been away in terms of his involved, apart from not being in the flesh he’s been so heavily involved.

“Me and David Longwell always feed back to him and I’m sure he’ll take our advice on board.”

Also in for talks will be loan players Matthew Pennington and Harry Chapman, who are expected to depart Everton and Blackburn respectively.

Defender Pennington is understood to be keen to join Shrewsbury. Star attacker Chapman has also enjoyed his time in Shropshire and would be open to a permanent switch, but has a number of suitors chasing his signature.