Gavin Cowan opens up on Shrewsbury Town international duo with talks planned

Gavin Cowan believes Kian McMahon-Brown’s Republic of Ireland under-21s call is a positive reflection of his start to life at Shrewsbury Town.

The 18-year-old attacker netted his first senior goal in Town’s encouraging victory over Northampton last weekend having made the late transfer window switch from Championship Burnley.

County Kildare-born McMahon-Brown will add to under-17 and under-19 caps with his nation if selected for under-21 European Championship qualifiers against Slovakia, Kazakhstan and England.

His absence will be felt by loan club Town, who could be without the talented teen for up to four fixtures - League Two fixtures against Colchester and Grimsby and EFL Trophy clashes against Tranmere and Stockport. McMahon-Brown is fine to feature in Saturday’s league clash at Crewe before jetting off.

"The market I thought I was in obviously isn't there, and then I had to sort of readjust and started to look for a different type of player from a different demographic,” Cowan said on Friday.

"We brought in Lino (Sousa), Michael (Golding) and obviously Kian. Kian was quite sought after, in terms of League Two clubs.

"Burnley have been brilliant with us to recruit him. It's great for him and his development and hopefully get him in Burnley's first team at some point in the future.

"He's an international, not only has he been called to the under-19s, it's also the under-21s. He's been elevated again and that's a reflection of how well he's been doing.

"As frustrating as it is, it's also a bit of a feather in our cap that we've recruited someone of that ilk.”

Cowan suggested there could be scope for the youngster to return after two Ireland youth fixtures, with talks likely to continue.

He added: "It's such an honour that we can't deny him of that. I've had a good conversation with coaches over there and they're very aware of the situation and good luck to him against Slovakia and Kazakhstan and then maybe thereafter there's a conversation.”

Town’s other international call recipient is summer signing from Cheltenham Arkell Jude-Boyd.

The London-born full-back has earned another call from Caribbean island Saint Lucia, with whom he already has six caps.

Saint Lucia have four fixtures in the extended three-week international period, against Barbados, Bermuda and a double-header against Guadeloupe.

But Cowan suggested he will talk with the former Queens Park Rangers youngster to determine whether he will go away with the nation

"We could potentially (lose) Arkell Jude-Boyd, who's had his call up with Saint Lucia,” Cowan added. "I'll be having a conversation with him. Representing your country is an incredible honour and we don't want to deny the player of that, but sometimes circumstances have to fit in.

"If he does go, huge congratulations to him."

League One clubs and below require a minimum of three international call-ups to request to postpone a fixture.