Shrewsbury v Stevenage preview

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Joseph Mills will miss Shrewsbury’s clash with fellow strugglers Stevenage through suspension.

The on-loan Burnley defender was given a straight red card in last week’s 1-0 defeat at Walsall and begins his three-match ban after an unsuccessful appeal.

Striker Tom Bradshaw is in contention after making his comeback from a knee injury for the reserves in midweek, while Shrews boss Mike Jackson is also hoping to have Jermaine Grandison (hamstring) and Dave McAllister (ankle) back.

Luke Summerfield (thigh) will miss out once more as Jackson’s basement side aim to move out of the bottom four.

Michael Doughty returns to the Stevenage squad for the trip to relegation rivals Shrewsbury.

Doughty has missed the last two matches through suspension after collecting 10 yellow cards this season.

Simon Heslop had to go off in the second half of Tuesday’s goalless draw against Wolves but he was only suffering from cramp and should be fine, however fellow midfielders Dean Parrett (cruciate) and Roarie Deacon (ankle) are out.

Forty-year-old assistant-manager Jason Goodliffe, who was a centre-half as a player, is set to take the role of substitute goalkeeper again with Steve Arnold ruled out by a knee injury.

Shrewsbury v Stevenage preview

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New loan signing Tom Eaves is bidding to make his debut for Shrewsbury.

The 6ft 5in striker arrived from Bolton on Thursday on an initial month-long agreement, although he is likely to have to wait for his first start after fellow loan signing Chris Porter enjoyed a goalscoring debut alongside Marvin Morgan in attack for last Friday’s impressive 2-0 victory at Tranmere.

Winger Jon Taylor is touch and go as he continues to struggle with the groin problem which ruled him out at Prenton Park.

Long-term absentees Jermaine Grandison (hip) and Mark Wright (knee) are making good progress with their recoveries and should be back in the frame soon although this weekend’s visit of Boro comes too quickly.

Stevenage will check on Greg Tansey.

Midfielder Tansey was forced to miss Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat by Oldham due to bruised ribs and was replaced by James Dunne, who staked his claim for another start by scoring Boro’s goal.

Goalkeeper Steve Arnold was available after suspension against the Latics but only made the bench so he will challenge Chris Day for the gloves again.

Andy Iro is pushing to make his Boro debut after recently returning from a two-month loan with Barnet, but fellow defender Jon Ashton remains a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.

Midfielder Matt Ball has joined non-league Farnborough on a month’s loan to get some first-team football under his belt.

Shrewsbury v Stevenage preview

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Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner will find it difficult to make changes after overseeing the club’s biggest win of the season in midweek.

Despite previously triumphing 4-0 twice this season, Shrews hit five for the first time in the league since September 2008 to trounce in-form Lincoln 5-1.

Lionel Ainsworth celebrated his recall with a quickfire first-half hat-trick at Sincil Bank and Turner will find it tough to replace him, even with the return of striker James Collins from international duty with the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s.

On-loan goalkeeper Lee Nicholls is also back from England Under-19 duty to challenge Chris Neal for a place on the bench behind current number one Ben Smith.

Midfielder David Davis came off at half-time against Lincoln nursing an ankle problem but should be fine to face Boro.

Striker Tom Bradshaw has been ruled out for four to six weeks with an ankle ligament injury and is unavailable.

Stevenage boss Graham Westley could include Darren Murphy in his squad.

The midfielder has made just one appearance this season, a League Cup clash with Portsmouth on August 9, but returned from an ongoing shoulder injury during the reserve team clash with Colchester in midweek and could be involved.

Ben May is a doubt with a ‘minor knock’ which is only expected to keep him sidelined for a further few days.

Other than that, Westley has a full squad available.

Striker Craig Reid, winger Peter Winn and defender Darius Charles will all be hoping for recalls as Boro look to end a run of four games without a win in all competitions.