Drayton's Scott Ryan set for Newtown

The striker was expected to meet Robins manager Chris Hughes, after Newtown's official seven-day permission to approach the player ended.

The Welsh club have been hit by injuries and Hughes signed former Shrewsbury Town midfielder Jamie Tolley on Wednesday.

Town manager Martyn Davies confirmed he would not stand between 20-year-old Ryan and a chance to play at a higher level.

He said; "If he does go, it will be with our blessing and good wishes for, given the proper approach, there's no way we'll stand in the way of young players with ambition.

"They'll also know that, as far as I am concerned, the door will always be open to them as visitors and also as players, if it does not work out for them.

"Scott's worked hard for the club and scored some very important goals. We will miss that – but I like to think we've been good for him too."

Ryan initially learned his football in the Shrewsbury Town Academy and has hit 10 Evo-Stik First Division South goals this season, plus more than half as many again in assorted cup competitions.

Perhaps prompted by the prospect of losing their top striker, Town are strengthening their goalkeeping.

Contracted Ash Rawlins has been attracting scouts and stand-in Greg Fletcher is thought to be content on loan at Ellesmere.

So Town are seeking international clearance for Tom Wainwright, recently returned home to Crewe from studying in America, where he played for the Louisiana State University side

Meanwhile, there's the small matter of actually getting a game. After four successive league postponements, Town are desperate for tomorrow's fixture at Loughborough Dynamo to go ahead.

Davies was able to arrange a full-scale friendly with Childs Ercall at TCAT's all-weather pitch at Telford last Saturday.

It helped blow away some cobwebs – especially as Ryan's namesake and likely replacement, Craig Ryan, looked sharp, scored twice and had a hand in two in a 7-1 win.

Davies saud: "We've got Childs Ercall to thank for a good workout. I immediately booked another all-weather at Shrewsbury next Wednesday.

"We still need a team to play against, but there's no shortage of clubs keen."

The two latest weather casualties for Town – at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday and away to Leek on Tuesday – left the club facing six games to re-arrange.

The first two new dates – both at home – have quickly settled for Tuesday January 26 against Carlton Town and Tuesday February 23 against Coalville Town.