Shrewsbury Town can only currently afford to keep two goalkeepers, admits boss

Shrewsbury Town can currently only afford to keep hold of two goalkeepers, boss Gavin Cowan has admitted.

Salop have three shot-stoppers in their squad after bringing in Cameron Gregory on a short-term deal following Aston Villa loanee Sam Proctor’s injury in training. Will Brook, meanwhile, has consistently worn the gloves so far this season.

But with Proctor returning to fitness, Cowan says the club will assess its options between now and Christmas before deciding where they stand.

He said: “We’re a club that can only really afford to hold onto two goalkeepers.

“We’ve been forced into a bit of a situation. What I will say is that Aston Villa have been absolutely brilliant with us in terms of Sam Proctor.

“So, we’ve had the opportunity to bring Cameron Gregory in, which was needed because Sam Proctor was injured.

“We’re not affluent in terms of goalkeepers. So, with Sam now coming back from injury, we find ourselves with three.

“We’re going to measure it in the lead-up to Christmas, see how we fare. All three goalkeepers are performing incredibly well in training, as you can imagine.

“Like I keep saying, with having more of a squad and more players creates more of a competition for places. So, we’re seeing that the levels are going up.

“Will is in there at the moment, I think deservedly so. He’s our goalkeeper, but the other two are pushing really hard.

“We’ll measure it up until Christmas and see where we’re at then.”

The situation could, of course, change by the end of the year, with Salop’s proposed takeover potentially altering the picture.

Gregory rejoined Salop on a short-term deal, having previously come through the club’s academy as a youngster. He has featured in all three of Town’s EFL Trophy group-stage matches, which remain his only appearances so far.

Proctor, meanwhile, recently made his first competitive appearance for Salop against Everton Under-21s in the EFL Trophy. The loanee had been named on the bench for Town’s first six League Two fixtures of the season.