Shrewsbury hope to finalise swoop for 'keeper Reice Charles-Cook as Bryn Morris nears Town exit
Shrewsbury Town hope to finalise a deal for former Arsenal and Coventry goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook – with midfielder Bryn Morris set to complete his Portsmouth switch.
Town are shopping for a goalkeeper to challenge Steve Arnold after Huddersfield recalled No.2 Joel Coleman late last week.
First-team coach Danny Coyne, 45, was on the bench for Saturday’s disappointing 3-0 home reverse to Charlton, where Charles-Cook – who has been playing in Denmark most recently – watched from the stands. It is believed Shrewsbury are awaiting international clearance to land the signature of the former Arsenal youngster.
Morris, meanwhile, was confirmed as Portsmouth-bound by Pompey chief Kenny Jackett after the League One leaders’ 1-0 home defeat to Blackpool.
The midfielder, whose Town deal was up in the summer, was close to joining Luton before then-boss Nathan Jones joined Stoke City.
Former England youth man Morris, 22, made 43 appearances in 18 months with Town.
Charles-Cook will be unable to play for Shrewsbury at Stoke in tomorrow’s FA Cup third round replay even if he completes a move to Shropshire.
Rules state players not eligible for the first tie cannot feature in a replay, and boss Ricketts suggested Coyne, 45, may also be ineligible, meaning Shrews may take to the Bet365 with no substitute goalkeeper.
Charles-Cook, who was a team-mate of Ricketts during his time captaining Coventry, has been looking for a chance to move back to English football since signing for Danish Superliga side SønderjyskE in the summer.
An Arsenal academy product, he made more than 50 league appearances for the Sky Blues, keeping five clean sheets in his first five games, a club record.
The 24-year-old featured 22 times in League Two for Swindon Town last season and was on trial with Town in the summer.
