World News – GB – Shrewsbury v Bolton – Match Preview

Jan Zamburek and Matt Millar it feels like Shrewsbury Town has made two additions ready to come in and make their mark on the first XI

And the duo could step right into Sam Ricketts’s squad for tonight’s EFL Trophy visit to Ligue 2’s Bolton Wanderers, writes Lewis Cox

A central midfielder and right-back weren’t quite high on the priority list for many supporters as yesterday’s overseas transfer deadline approached, but Town wasted no time approving the moves – as Czech midfielder Zamburek and Australian full-back Millar was pictured holding his blue and amber shirts at 11am

While Shrewsbury hasn’t been short of these positions, the pedigree of new hires – and in Millar case reports from across the globe – suggests Ricketts has recruited talented operators

Zamburek, 19, arrives on a season-long loan from a club in Brentford who know how to coach and produce talent from across the continent

Bee head coach Thomas Frank said yesterday: « Jan is a very promising player who we believe has enormous potential. What he needs at this point in his career are regular minutes »

These are not empty words Zamburek has made two appearances for Brentford in the Carabao Cup this season and, when football resumed for the top two leagues this summer, the teenage midfielder – described as a talent box-to-box who loves a shot – has been involved in the championship action

All in all, the athletic 6-foot midfielder has made 21 appearances for Brentford’s first team since joining their famous B-team from Slavia Prague in 2018

This is a key move for the youngster.Do not expect him to come to Shrewsbury and sit on the bench as Saturday’s league trip to Doncaster fell on the back burner due to international commitments of the hosts, tonight’s Trophy tie represents an opportunity to shed the blood of the teenager, who has represented his country at all levels, from under-15s to under-19s

The same can be said of right-back Millar, 24, The Australian initially took a loan to Salop until January, but it is understood this could be extended

Millar, a 6-foot-1 full-back described as stable defensively and a threat to the future, has progressed rapidly in Australian football and Ricketts has reached out to his Down Under ties – where the former midfielder Shrewsbury, Wolves and Wales field player Carl Robinson is present manager of Millar’s parent club, Newcastle Jets – to close the deal

Ricketts revealed yesterday that he spent time during the lockdown studying video footage of the powerful full-back, who is strong in the air and possesses a dangerous long throw

Millar scored four goals in 24 outings for the Jets in the top-flight A-League last season Despite holding a British passport, he hasn’t had a taste of English football and the low-profile game of the Tonight’s trophy against the opposite of the division below comes at a perfect time to help him level up

Newcastle Jets boss Robinson said yesterday that competitive action with Shrewsbury would help Millar prepare for the new A-League season, which is set to begin in December

But if the defender shines for Shrewsbury, Ricketts will want to keep him longer

Daniel Udoh and Ro-Shaun Williams are unlikely to be involved tonight as the club awaits their Covid-19 test results after the duo came into contact with someone who tested positive

This season’s EFL Trophy has come under even more scrutiny than in recent years given the truncated nature of the football season due to the Covid pandemic

This is Town’s second meeting in the North of Group C, having beaten the Newcastle United Under-21s in their only win of the campaign so far

Despite the shortened nature of the season and issues with injuries and downtime, Ricketts will aim to progress beyond the group stage at the expense of his former club Bolton

Daniel Udoh and Ro-Shaun Williams are unlikely to be involved tonight as the club awaits their Covid-19 test results after the duo came into contact with someone who tested positive

Sports reporter with the & Star and Shropshire Star Express Covering the town of Shrewsbury and with a keen eye for non-leagues and the grassroots

City of Shrewsbury FC, Bolton Wanderers FC, EFL League One, EFL Trophy, Ian Evatt