Shrewsbury Town boss gives big fitness update on key man

And while Ihionvien remains sidelined for another 'six to eight weeks', Lloyd could return for Saturday's clash with Gillingham, led by former boss Gareth Ainsworth.

“Obviously, Bradley’s going to be out still for another six to eight weeks or so," said Appleton.

“George is a little bit different. George, if we get a good three or four days out of him (in training this week), he potentially could be available for Saturday against Gillingham.

“That obviously then gives us more options on the bench and gives us more options in terms of how we line up as well.”

John Marquis started up front at Fleetwood, with Anthony Scully and Kabia just behind him, but with Town struggling to make the ball stick up front, had limited options to change things.

Kabia moved into the main striking role, with Scully and Marquis in support, during the first half - before Chuks Aneke was introduced in place of Marquis midway through the second period.

Appleton said: “It’s not easy obviously because when there are big moments in the game you want to look at your bench and think ‘what can I do to affect it?’

“I’m not really able to do that as well as I would want at the minute, but there’s nothing we can do about it."

Shrewsbury did threaten an unlikely late comeback, roared on by 466 travelling Salopians on the north west coast.

"They kept getting behind the players at 3-0, so I can't speak highly enough of the support we've had," added Appleton. "And I just hope they keep continuing and hopefully we'll give them something a little bit more to shout about on the road than we have done of late.

"But you know, if they can come again next week and make it as difficult as they can for the Gillingham players and everybody else and hopefully we'll get a similar sort of result that we have done over the recent weeks."