‘Proactively patient’ - Gavin Cowan on Shrewsbury Town’s transfer stance

Patience is the buzzword for Gavin Cowan as he targets two more signings to leave him “really happy” with his Shrewsbury Town squad.

The Shrewsbury boss provided an update on the club’s transfer business after Saturday’s pre-season defeat to West Brom.

Cowan remains determined to strengthen his squad with a number 10 and a striker ahead of the new campaign, but insists the club will take its time to secure the right players.

So far, Town have made eight summer signings as Cowan continues to shape his squad, but he is adamant there is still more business to be done.

“There's a lot of work going on,” he said. “There's lots of ups and downs and round the corners.

“And we're just working really hard. I've been very vocal. Yes, we want a striker. Yes, we want the number 10s to come in. But we've just got to get the right ones.

“We've got to be proactively patient, as I keep saying. We want to get those guys through the door. We've just got to be patient to get the right one.

“I'm really chuffed with the lads that we've brought through the building. They've got to be accountable now about investing in our process and doing the work on the pitch.

“And if we can just get those next two, I'd be really happy with the squad.”

Town have already strengthened their attacking options this summer with the arrivals of Joe Gbode and Josh Davison, while George Lloyd has committed his future by signing a new two-year contract. That leaves Cowan with three senior forwards at his disposal.

Callum Stewart has been transfer-listed and is yet to feature in pre-season, while third-year scholar Jay Snook has been handed opportunities to impress.

Despite those options, Cowan is still targeting further firepower. He recently confirmed the club remain keen on a possible return for popular former loanee Iwan Morgan as they continue to pursue a loan deal for the forward.

Meanwhile, summer signing Isaac Fletcher has operated in the number 10 role throughout pre-season and marked Saturday’s defeat to West Brom with a goal. However, Cowan is still looking to add greater competition and depth in that area of the pitch.