Deal for new defender close - Sheridan

Brian Wilson

BRIAN Wilson’s groin strain has hampered John Sheridan’s selection options at Shrewsbury tonight — but Athletic’s manager says he will have up to four players in before the next game, including a new centre back.

Wilson picked up an injury in the defeat by Bury and joins fellow right-backs Cameron Dummigan and Connor Brown on the sidelines. Carl Winchester could deputise at Greenhous Meadow tonight.

Longer-term, Sheridan has revealed he has lined up a deal for a new leader in the heart of defence.

“Hopefully sooner rather than later,” Sheridan said. “We need a player with leadership capabilities and in the next couple of days we have 95 per cent sorted one out.

“He's an experienced player, someone who will talk and boss people about which I feel the team needs.”

A centre forward to lead the attacking line and a winger with pace are also among Sheridan's targets.

“It's not a case of me going out and panicking,” he added on the radio phone-in. “It needs to be done urgently and I have been working non-stop. We have to get the type of player who is different from what we have and who makes us stronger.”