Sam Ricketts ready to trim his Shrewsbury Town squad

The new Meadow boss feels Town’s squad of 28 players is ‘probably a few too many’.

The Welshman added that nothing drastic would happen regards departures in January but hinted that he will look to get a few players off the books.

Town have seven players currently out on loan, pushing the squad numbers – including youngsters who have been selected for competitive matches this season – to more than 30 players.

“I’ve watched a fair few games, especially more recent games obviously. I can see where the squad’s at,” Ricketts said of the side he inherited from John Askey.

“Twenty-eight players is probably a few too many to be honest with you, I know some are out on loan and first and second-year pros.

“Ideally you’d probably have a few less but that’s not to say something drastic is going to happen.

“It’s a good squad with some good quality which has probably come more to the fore in recent weeks with the level of performance.”

Bryn Morris, at Wycombe, Luke Hendrie, at Grimsby, Zak Jules, at Barnet, and Sam Jones, at Cheltenham, are four senior players out on loan elsewhere.

It is expected that there will be movement for at least some of the above.

Arthur Gnahoua has recently been sent to National League AFC Fylde, while academy graduate youngsters Ryan Barnett (AFC Telford United) and George Hughes (Stalybridge Celtic) are also out on loan.

On potential incomings next month, Ricketts added that – owing to Shrewsbury’s impressive performance level over recent weeks – new additions will need to be of the required standards.

“The good thing is, we’re at a certain level so, if we’re looking to improve then they need to be very good players coming in,” he added.

“Then you’re in a good place and I think that’s where we’re at.

“All clubs at any levels are always looking to improve and we’re no different.”