Shrewsbury Town striker George Lloyd is closing in on a return from injury and could feature in Saturday’s trip to Barnet.
Head coach Michael Appleton confirmed the forward has a “real chance” of being available after stepping up his recovery from a hamstring problem suffered against Swindon Town.
Appleton Provides Positive Update
Lloyd, who joined from Cheltenham Town, was withdrawn in the first half of the recent clash with Swindon and has not featured since. However, encouraging progress this week has boosted hopes of his return to the matchday squad for the visit to The Hive, London.
“Lloydy, I think he’s got a great chance for Saturday,” Appleton said. “He’s done a little bit more with the team on Tuesday, in terms of the medical team, and then he did a bit more on Wednesday. Hopefully, he comes through training OK on Thursday.”
The 24-year-old was seen sprinting before Tuesday’s fixture against Walsall, and his increasing involvement in training has eased concerns over the severity of his injury. Appleton will assess him again before finalising his squad for the weekend.
League Two
While Lloyd edges closer to a return, fellow summer signing Anthony Scully remains sidelined. The former Portsmouth winger has not featured since the same Swindon fixture and is nursing a groin issue. Initial fears suggested a more serious problem, but further assessments have provided reassurance. Even so, he is expected to miss the trip south.
“I think Anthony will probably struggle,” Appleton admitted. “It is his groin. It has settled down from the first investigation on it. I think they were a little bit worried, but it’s settled down a little bit, which is a positive.”
Town will also be without goalkeeper Elyh Harrison, who has been called up to represent England’s Under-20s in their friendly against Italy on Friday night. His absence opens the door for changes in the squad, with Appleton likely to shuffle his options for the Barnet clash.
Writer’s View
Lloyd’s potential return comes at a timely moment for Shrewsbury, who have missed his presence in attack over the past few weeks. His pace and willingness to press from the front give Salop a different dimension, something that could prove decisive away from home.
Scully’s ongoing absence is a frustration given his pedigree, but avoiding a long-term setback is a relief. With Harrison also unavailable, Appleton will need to rely on his squad depth, yet the focus will be firmly on whether Lloyd can deliver an immediate impact and help Town push for three important points in the capital.
