'Spinning plates': Gavin Cowan on Shrewsbury Town's search for more summer recruits

Gavin Cowan says Shrewsbury Town are “spinning a lot of plates” as he insists they still require two further summer additions.

Eight new recruits have arrived at Town ahead of the new competitive campaign, which gets under way in just over a week with a trip to Salford City in the Carabao Cup.

After securing key defensive retentions, strengthening his midfield, adding a loan goalkeeper and bolstering the attack, Cowan has revealed he is still searching for a number 10 and another striker.

However, the Shrewsbury boss is remaining patient in his pursuit of the right players and says he is pleased with the club’s recruitment so far this summer.

“We’re spinning a lot of plates,” Cowan told the Shropshire Star when asked about further potential signings.

“Like I have said, we’ve been in a lot of rooms, we’ve had a lot of knockbacks.

“We’ve been able to get these lads in here, which we’ve been really thankful for. I’m really happy with the recruitment up until now.

“But we are going to need another couple. So, we’re just, again, being proactively patient, as I’ve said previously.

“We need to get the right ones. We need to get the timing right. But, yeah, we do need a couple to come through the door.”

One of the key areas Cowan wanted to improve this summer was his attacking options, with Salop having recorded the second-lowest goals tally in League Two last season.

Town have added Joe Gbode on loan from Luton Town alongside Josh Davison, while George Lloyd has also committed his future to the club by signing a new contract. That leaves Cowan with three senior forwards at his disposal, but he remains keen to add another.

Forward Callum Stewart has been placed on the transfer list, with several National League clubs showing interest in securing his services. The latest update on Stewart is that the 24-year-old was considering his options.

Sam Clucas, Tom Anderson and Ricardo Dinanga are also available for moves away from the Croud Meadow this summer.

Town also missed out on target Favour Fawunmi, who has completed a season-long loan move to League Two rivals Oldham Athletic.

Shrewsbury had been keen on the Stoke City youngster, who featured as a trialist in Salop’s first pre-season outing. However, any hopes of a deal ended on Thursday night when Fawunmi was confirmed as Oldham’s latest signing.