Shrewsbury Town opposition report: A Colchester United key threat and familiar face

A familiar face could return to the Meadow this weekend when Shrewsbury Town welcome Colchester United.

Bradley Ihionvien spent last season on loan with Salop and could now line up against his former club, having joined Colchester on loan for the current campaign.

The striker is yet to score for Danny Cowley’s side and was an unused substitute in their 1-1 draw with Cheltenham Town last weekend before missing Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy defeat to his parent club Peterborough United.

Gavin Cowan knows Colchester well, having faced them in his first away game as Shrewsbury boss in February, when Town suffered defeat.

He is expecting another demanding test from Cowley’s side this weekend.

“They will be a good footballing side,” Cowan said. “Very competitive, very athletic, and busy. So, yes, we’re going to have to be at our best to get the points.”

Colchester finished 12th in League Two last season, following a 10th-place finish the previous campaign.

They have collected nine points from their opening seven games this term, winning twice, but head to Shrewsbury without a victory in their last four.

Defeats by Bristol Rovers and Swindon Town have been followed by draws against Crewe Alexandra and Cheltenham.

Harry Anderson netted against Crewe and could pose one of Colchester’s main threats at the Meadow.

The winger scored 11 goals in 33 League Two appearances last season and has a long-standing relationship with Cowley, having first worked with the manager at Braintree in 2016 before later linking up with him at Lincoln City.

Anderson joined Colchester in June 2024 on a two-year deal after being released by Stevenage, following a productive loan spell at the club towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

His time at Lincoln included two promotions, from the National League and League Two, as well as a key role in the Imps’ memorable run to the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2016/17.