Shrewsbury Town hopeful on Harry Chapman fitness ahead of Ipswich clash
Shrewsbury Town are hopeful in-form star Harry Chapman is fit enough to feature against Ipswich on Saturday – and will give the loan man every chance to prove his fitness.
Chapman has scored four goals in four games for Town, all coming in wins over Peterborough, Swindon and Sunderland, but was forced off late on against the Black Cats after rolling his ankle.
The Blackburn Rovers loan star received treatment from Shrewbsury's physios yesterday and the management team are assessing how the injury settles down over the next couple of days.
"Chappy rolled his ankle a little bit so we'll just have to see how he is in the next couple of days. He should be OK, hopefully," said Aaron Wilbraham, who took today's session on the 3G pitches at Shrewsbury Sports Village after the Sundorne Castle training pitches were frozen over.
"He was in with the physios yesterday and we're just re-assessing today really, getting as much work on it as possible. We just have to see how he is.
"If it came to it – I know when I played you did a fitness test on the morning or lunchtime. If the player and physio felt it was right and a chance then you'd do the fitness test and give it as much time as possible, that's what we'll do.
"He's been our match-winner recently, but not just that he's been working really hard and getting the plaudits, we want him in the team for more reasons than one."
There was encouraging news on long-term injury victim Brad Walker, who injured his ankle in Steve Cotterill's first league game in charge, on December 2.
Aaron Pierre (calf) is still receiving treatment on the injury sustained against Crewe two Tuesdays ago and is not ready to return to running.
On-loan Everton defender Matthew Pennington (shoulder) has taken steps forward in his rehab with the squad. He is meeting with a specialist later this month to decide whether the dislocation requires surgery.
"Brad Walker is back out on the grass, it's great to see him doing a bit of running and changing direction with the physios," said Wilbraham.
"Aaron's still at an early stage, he's not outside yet, still in physio for treatment, though he's not got as much awareness in it (the injury) while walking as there was initially, so that's a good sign."
