Shrewsbury Town boss hails 'devastating' potential of loan signing

Gavin Cowan believes loanee Joe Gbode has the potential to be ‘devastating’ in attack as he explained Shrewsbury Town’s ‘strategic’ summer recruitment.

Gbode, who joined on a season-long loan from Luton Town, is one of eight summer signings and one of two new forwards to arrive at the Croud Meadow.

The 21-year-old has featured prominently throughout pre-season, sharing attacking duties with fellow new signing Josh Davison, George Lloyd and academy talent Jay Snook.

Gbode also scored twice in the win over FC Isle of Man, and Cowan believes both he and Davison possess the attributes to make a real impact this season.

The Salop boss said: “We recruited strategically, him and Josh Davison. Very, very aggressive, powerful players.

“They’re very explosive is the word I would use. So, I'm really happy to have them both at the club.

“I thought Josh was excellent against Everton. It was his time to sit out and have a bit of a rest against West Brom.

“But you can just see Joe’s very committed. He’s very aggressive. He’s what I would call devastatingly athletic.

“If we can form the right areas for him to be as devastating as he’s capable of doing, I think he could be a real hit here.”

Gbode arrives in Shropshire hoping to help improve Town’s goalscoring return after Salop recorded the second-lowest tally in League Two last season.

The striker spent the second half of last season on loan at National League side Woking, scoring three goals in 15 appearances after making the temporary switch from Luton in January.