Former Shrewsbury Town star Ryan Woods expected to overcome illness to face old club

Ryan Woods is thought to be in line for his Shrewsbury Town return despite missing training through illness.

The midfielder is due to play his first competitive fixture against Town – who sold him to Brentford for a deal worth up to £1million.

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Woods, who was involved against Town in a friendly for Brentford in the summer, is to be assessed ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie but boss Gary Rowett is hopeful the midfielder will feature at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Joe Allen is a doubt after picking up a knock while Ryan Shawcross’s illness is more serious and likely to see him sidelined for the third-round clash.

Woods, 25, is to see his Stoke loan become a permanent move from Brentford this month, where Salop have a 20 per cent profit of any sell-on fee. He has made 21 appearances for the struggling Potters this term.

A Town victory will see them reach the FA Cup fourth round for just the fourth time in 23 seasons.

They will need to do so without suspended 10-goal top scorer Fejiri Okenabirhie. The striker misses one game after picking up two yellow cards in the competition.

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