Shrewsbury Town team news: Changes made as defender returns to squad

Gavin Cowan has made two changes for Shrewsbury Town’s home clash with Northampton Town.

Town are looking to turn around a difficult start to the new campaign, with just one win from their opening five league games.

They are also looking to respond after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Fleetwood Town.

Cowan has stuck with his front two of Josh Davison and George Lloyd despite Town’s struggles in front of goal. Salop have scored just two goals in their opening five league games.

Jay Turner-Cooke comes into the starting XI for Will Gray, while the big news is the return of Josh Ruffels.

Ruffels missed last weekend’s defeat after jarring his knee against Rochdale, but returned to training this week and comes straight back into the side in place of Arkell Jude-Boyd.

Central defenders Isaac Lee and Tom Anderson both miss out on the matchday squad, meaning there is no recognised centre-back among the substitutes.

Luca Hoole does start, though, and is likely to operate at right wing-back, giving Cowan the option of reshuffling his defence if required.

Here is the Salop team news…

Shrewsbury Town team vs Northampton Town

Starting XI: Brook, Ruffels, Boyle, Stubbs, Hoole, Sang, Turner-Cooke, Berkoe, McMahon-Brown, Davison, Lloyd.

Subs: Proctor, Sousa, Jude-Boyd, Gray, Golding, Fletcher, Gbode.