Gavin Cowan throws down challenge to Bradley Ihionvien as Shrewsbury Town striker returns from injury

The striker had been sidelined for months after undergoing surgery on a meniscus injury sustained in training in October. That setback came after he scored in successive games following his loan move from Peterborough United.

Asked whether his return is a big boost, Salop boss Cowan said: "Yes, if he sticks to what it is we do within our process.

"He's a very talented, very capable player. So, yes, looking forward to seeing what he can offer."

He added: "I'm sure he'll be eager to make an impression. Again, he has to do that within the process that we work to. 

"Equally, I thought Will Gray was brilliant when he came on - really brave. Sometimes that youth really helps in terms of just being a bit oblivious to the pressures. 

"I think Will goes out there and plays with a real freedom and he did that really well."

Fellow Town loanee Matt Cox has impressed between the sticks since joining from Brentford in the January transfer window.

He has started every game under Cowan but was left picking the ball out of his net four times during Salop’s heaviest home defeat of the season against Crewe Alexandra.

However, Cowan believes the heavy defeat could still have positives for Cox.

"For him, it's a great day because he gets the experience," he said. 

"For me as a football manager, that's the dice I have to roll when you have players coming in on loan that are sort of under-21s, under-23s players, or even third choice goalkeepers. 

"We have to find that sweet spot between their development and then between us getting results. So for his development, to experience that and to try and find the resilience is great for him.

"But for me, it is a good question when we're talking about loans for next season, whether we rolled a dice on them."