Weather playing a frustrating factor in Shrewsbury team selection

The former Wycombe and Queens Park Rangers man will take charge of Shrewsbury for the first time on Saturday as they welcome promotion-hopefuls Birmingham City to Shropshire.

Ainsworth will pick his first starting XI of his Salop tenure, but with the snow causing disruptions to training this week that has made the decision-making process more difficult.

"Being totally honest, it's been very, very challenging," the head coach said. "I've had one session on the grass, I watched one last Thursday, I've had one session on the grass with them on Monday.

"Tuesday was a write-off because of the snowfall, so Thursday was the second session on the grass and it's not real grass.

"I will say that there's probably a couple in my mind that have put themselves in a place (to play), and that's from watching the footage, watching the games that have gone by and they'll probably be in there.

"But there are still places up for grabs, honestly, which is tough for me, but over the next few weeks, I'm sure it'll work out."

Shrewsbury have a 22-man squad and while there are a few players out injured at present the boss says everyone will get their chance to impress.

"It's not necessarily the same for every manager," he continued. "Managers are all different and some players will play better for one and not well for one and that happens all over, from the Premier League right down to League Two.

"So I'm expecting them all to get a chance to show me what they can do and then it's up to them to take that chance."