‘We’ll get after it’ - Gavin Cowan’s rallying cry before Shrewsbury Town season kick-off

Boss Gavin Cowan has vowed Shrewsbury Town will “get after” their Carabao Cup season opener at Salford City.

Salop travel to the Ammies tomorrow for their first-round tie, with the competition unusually providing their first competitive fixture of the campaign ahead of next week’s League Two opener.

While the League Cup often arrives early in the calendar, it rarely marks the start of a season. But Cowan insists Town will treat the competition with full commitment as they bid to build early momentum.

“We’ll get after it,” he told the Shropshire Star. “Financially, it’s a big support to us.

“But we want to win games, that’s what we’re here for.

“We want to win football matches and we want to get into the rhythm of winning games. So, yeah, here’s hoping.”

Shrewsbury return to a ground where they enjoyed one of the defining moments of Cowan’s remarkable rescue mission last season, coming from behind to beat Salford in February as they surged towards Football League safety.

The Town boss is hoping another sizeable travelling support can help inspire a similarly positive start to the new campaign.

“I remember them coming to Salford on a Tuesday night when we won last season,” he added.

“I imagine they’ll be out in their numbers, which I love. It’s one thing I love about this football club. We’ve got such great support, a great following.

“People who come to home matches get this place (Croud Meadow) rocking. But equally, the away support has always been so, so brilliant. It’s one of the things I love about being the manager of the club.”

Shrewsbury rounded off pre-season with victory over Aston Villa’s youngsters, but Cowan kept his cards close to his chest when asked whether that side would form the basis of his starting XI at Moor Lane.

He said: “They’re very much up for grabs. We’ll have a look back at it.

“We’ll make sure as the week goes on, we get more of an idea on who’s going to start.”