Club before country vows Shrewsbury forward Tom Bradshaw
Shrewsbury Town's top goalscorer Tom Bradshaw has put club before country by pulling out of a forthcoming double header of internationals with Wales Under-21s.
Bradshaw, who netted his fifth goal of the season in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Carlisle, was set to miss next weekend's League One home clash with Gillingham after being called up for games against Lithuania and San Marino.
It could have left Town with no recognized fit first-team strikers available for the game, in which they will be aiming to end a worrying winless run at the ninth attempt.
And having been used as second-half substitute in both of his last two internationals against San Marino and Moldova last month, Bradshaw believes he will be better served representing his club on Saturday instead.
Bradshaw, who was presented with his latest international cap by Shrewsbury Town chairman Roland Wycherley on Saturday, said: "I have spoken to the gaffer and to the guys in charge in Wales and I have decided that it is better to be playing at my club rather than to potentially go there and be on the bench and miss valuable time here.
"And I feel like I am needed more here with my club at the moment. It has always been an honour to play for Wales, but I feel my loyalties lie with Shrewsbury at the moment.
"We are a very small squad and I feel like I am needed here a lot more than I am needed at Wales at the moment."
Manager Graham Turner had last week expressed his concern that Bradshaw may not benefit from being on international duty if he is not given much game time.
Turner said: "We spoke to the manager, I have spoken to him and Tom has spoken to him and he will be available on Saturday. We just need confirmation in writing."
