'Health more important' - Shrewsbury boss Gavin Cowan on George Lloyd recovery

Gavin Cowan has revealed that striker George Lloyd is “unlikely” to be available for the visit of Gillingham on Saturday, as the Shrewsbury Town boss said that his “health is more important”.

Lloyd was stretchered off following a concerning neck injury during Shrews’ 3-3 draw at Rotherham United last weekend and taken to hospital.

The 26-year-old was discharged later that evening and given the ‘all-clear’ - although Cowan is not optimistic that Lloyd, who has scored four goals so far this season, will be back this weekend.

“Unlikely for tomorrow. We’re working with him and he’s out on the grass, but when it’s a head injury like that, even just the impact of every step is shuddering through his head,” head coach Cowan told BBC Shropshire.

“We just want to look after him. We’ll be led by him and he’ll make the final decision, but from what I’ve seen this morning, I wouldn’t be hopeful to see him on the pitch tomorrow.”

He continued: "Health and family come before anything, even football. Football is so important to us all. We're all totally in love, head over heels with it, but ultimately family and health is everything.

"That was our primary concern. He's going to be alright, he's had a big whack there. Disappointed we didn't get a penalty out of it, but it is what it is. Those things will start coming for us now."

‘Bigger picture’ - Cowan on McMahon-Brown availability

Kian McMahon-Brown could replace him in the Shrewsbury attack, after his red card was overturned following a successful appeal.

The Burnley loan striker was poised for a three-match ban, after he was dismissed for ‘violent conduct’ following an incident with Rotherham defender Joe Rafferty.

That suspension was rescinded following an investigation by the FA, which means McMahon-Brown is now eligible for selection.

On the situation, Cowan added: “I’m thankful for the fact that we’ve got Kian back available should he be in the team for tomorrow.

“I think there’s a bigger picture though. If that doesn’t get overturned then we lose all hope in the system.

“So I’m grateful that the FA have seen fit to look at that decision. I’ll be meeting the head of Pro Refs next week, which is really timely for us because we feel quite hard done by through the season.

“Equally, we’re not going to be that team anymore where woe is us. We just want some understanding of the rules moving forward.”