Gareth Ainsworth discusses Funso Ojo's reaction to being left out against Blues

The 33-year-old, who was signed by Paul Hurst on deadline day, was not in Ainsworth's first Salop 18-man squad which beat Blues 3-2. 

Ojo, who is on loan from League Two side Port Vale, has started 10 of the 16 League One games Town have played so far this campaign. 

Ainsworth says leaving people out is a difficult part of the job, but he praised Ojo for the way he has trained and conducted himself since that moment. 

"The same as it's always been," he said when asked by the Shropshire Star what the message is to anyone left out. "You're part of this. 

"One of the hardest jobs as a manager is you have players who sign a contract, they train all week, and their big game is Saturday. 

"I say that your role on a Saturday could be a starter, could be a sub, and it could be a guy who's not involved in the 18. "It is important to make sure they know what their role is and how good can they play that role. 

"Now, I'll say that Funso Ojo played his role superbly when I had a chat with him last week, left him out of the 18. He was absolutely brilliant. A true professional. 

"His reaction in training has been nothing but exemplary. I think that's a great example to everyone now who may not make the 18."

Salop have Morgan Feeney and Josh Feeney closing in on a return to action. 

Morgan Feeney has been out with an ankle injury, while Josh Feeney strained his hamstring in Town's EFL Trophy clash against Walsall a few weeks back. 

Their return will give the Salop head coach even more problems when it comes to selecting his squad for this evening's clash. 

But he says he knows how hard the players work, and that means he has had a lot of empathy when it comes to making decisions. 

"The maths does not work," he continued. "You've got 22, or 23 people it does not go into 18. You've got to leave players out.

"That's part and parcel. It's something that I think most managers do struggle with, honestly, when I talk to them.

"I've got a lot of empathy. I know how hard the players train and how hard they work, and it's my decision for various reasons. It'll never just be on a whim.

"There will be certain reasons why I've done that. 

"Whoever it is, I say play your role to the best of your ability for Shrewsbury Town. And if they don't, then I'll understand, but I also won't have players around too long who disrespect the role that they've been given."

Shrewsbury have a huge game against Cambridge following this evening's clash against the Tangerines as they continue to scrap for every point and League One safety.