Shrewsbury v Bury preview

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Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner will have to reshuffle his defence.

Centre-back Jermaine Grandison was this week ruled out for at least six weeks with a hip injury.

Grandison has been managing the complaint over the last couple of weeks but was eventually forced off at half-time in last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Swindon.

That means Yado Mambo is likely to come in although fellow defender Cameron Gayle also stands a chance of starting against the Shakers.

Otherwise, long-term absentees Mark Wright (knee) and Ryan Doble (hand) are expected to be the only ones to miss out.

Shrews, in 18th place in the league, currently find themselves four places and eight points clear of third-bottom Bury.

Bury manager Kevin Blackwell has a raft of new options following a busy week in the loan market.

Forward Nicky Ajose and defender Ashley Eastham have returned to Gigg Lane from Peterborough and Blackpool respectively for their second temporary spells with the league strugglers.

Eastham could be joined in the Shakers’ back four by Stephane Zubar, who agreed a move from Bournemouth until the end of the season on Thursday.

Bolton winger Gregg Wylde and QPR striker Troy Hewitt are back with their parent clubs following the end of their own loan spells.

Mark Carrington (groin) and Andy Bishop (foot) are fit to play but Bishop’s fellow striker David Healy (groin) is out.

Defenders Phil Picken (knee) and Adam Lockwood (groin) are out for the season along with midfielder Shane Byrne (blood disorder).

Shrewsbury v Bury preview

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Shrewsbury will be without suspended captain Ian Sharps.

Centre-back Sharps was dismissed late on in the goalless draw against Gillingham on Saturday and will serve a one-match ban.

Turner has a number of options to replace Sharps, he could move right-back Jermaine Grandison into the centre or alternatively put youngster Connor Goldson in for his first start for the club after he came off the bench at the weekend.

Defensive duo Kelvin Lomax (ligament) and David Raven (hip) are nearing full fitness but it is unlikely they will be risked, however, forward Benjamin van den Broek has fully recovered from his knee problem and is in contention for a place on the bench.

Midfielder Paul Downing and goalkeeper Lee Nicholls will be unavailable as their loan deals from West Brom and Wigan respectively have now expired and the youngsters have returned to their parent clubs.

Bury boss Alan Knill could hand rookie winger Kyle Bennett a starting role.

The 20-year-old came off the bench after an hour of Saturday’s home clash with Crewe, with the Shakers trailing 1-0.

He made a stunning impact with two goals in quick succession to put his side 2-1 ahead before Ryan Lowe added a late third.

Knill has no new injury concerns but could again be missing defender Ben Futcher due to a hamstring injury.

Knill has urged his side to build on Saturday’s 3-1 win, saying: “We’ve got to learn quickly that it’s not enough to run with the ball and look exciting when we’re under the cosh, you have to keep hold of the ball too.”