Gavin Cowan “over the moon” for Temple Ojinnaka after impressive Shrewsbury Town return

The Wolves loanee started and made his first appearance under Cowan, featuring for the first time since the defeat at Cambridge United that brought former boss Michael Appleton’s reign to an end.

The 21-year-old had since been named on the bench twice without getting on and has had to remain patient for his opportunity. But he took it well, impressing Cowan and leaving the field to warm applause.

“I'm over the moon for him just because he's just conducted himself impeccably,” said Cowan.

“It was his 21st birthday the other day. So for him to come on and put in a performance like that.

“He wanted to come off 10 minutes earlier, but I gave him a little bit of a rollicking about some of the conversations we've been having, and he found another 10 minutes.

“It just shows you the mentality of the lad. He wants to do really well. I thought he came in and he justified the decision.”

Cowan had previously expressed sympathy for the Italian youngster, saying he had often been closer to starting than even being named in the matchday squad due to Town’s loan situation.

Shrewsbury have seven loan players but are only permitted to name a maximum of five in a matchday squad, meaning Ojinnaka has missed out on several occasions in recent months.

Ojinnaka joined from Wolves during the January transfer window, having previously been named on the bench for Premier League clashes with Everton and Manchester United under Rob Edwards, who has spoken highly of him.

“Everything that we wanted,” Cowan added. “We just wanted someone who was willing to go and put in a foot and a tackle and win first and second contacts. He did that.

“He was particularly aggressive, which we know he can be. We wanted to move the ball quickly in there, which he did for the majority of the time.

“He smells danger. He can play as a centre-half as well. I thought he was just really good at allowing that front five with our wing-backs and our strikers to go and play free.

“Him and Nick (Freeman) just allowed them to go on and play in front of them. Excellent performance from him.

“I'm particularly pleased for him because he's been a victim of our loans. He's had to be really patient and understanding.

“I've been speaking really closely with him in that time because as a youngster, he's moved past under-23's football by the looks of it. He's come in here and I thought his performance away at Cambridge before I came in was certainly more than competent.

“But what we wanted him to do in there, it was an element of a risk, of course, but I was true to my word in that I want players that are going to train well in the week to be willing to show me that they want to go and play for the shirt.

“Because myself, Dave and Jay are supporters of the football club as well as working for the football club.

“The minimum requirement is that you go out there and play for the badge. So, he wanted to do that clearly in the week and he got his chance.”