Shrews boss rues Eaves recall while Dougie tells Tom he'll slot into the squad

Shrewsbury Town have just three matches left to play this season as they hope to secure their League One status for another year. They are four places and six points clear of the drop zone and, at the moment, look like they could do it. A large part of Shrews' turnaround of late was young Bolton striker Tom Eaves who had managed six goals in ten appearances.

Eaves was set to spend the rest of the season at Shrewsbury Town after all parties agreed to extend the striker's deal past the original one month. Then, Dougie Freedman exercised the 24-hour recall clause in Eaves' deal, bringing the forward back to Bolton.

Talking to the Shropshire Star, it was clear that Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner wasn't exactly happy that Eaves had gone:

"Tom's goals have been important to us and contributed to some decent results in the last few weeks.

"He didn't do terribly well against Bournemouth on Saturday but we will miss that firepower he provided.

"But we knew there was a likelihood Bolton would want to take him back and include him in their squad.

"These things happen. Tom phoned me to thank me for bringing him in and there is a good relationship between the player and us.

"I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Tom reappearing here."

Dougie Freedman promised that Tom Eaves' recall was for good reason, as he told the Bolton News:

"It is time for one or two of the younger players to step up and get in there in the squad.

"I have brought Tom back to go straight into the squad.

"We have had somebody watch him every game and he has done well and scored goals as I knew he would.

"He has an appetite to really want to do well every day and it's good to have around the place.

"I like to pick young players and mould them and he is certainly somebody I am really enjoying working with and I don't mind hiding that fact.

"Even if he doesn't play, he will get the experience of being a part of a team that is going well and the level where we expect him to be in the future.

"We have another young player in Chris Lester, and I don't mind saying names if they are doing well, who is a young man who has done fantastic for the Under-21s and been called up to the Northern Ireland Under-21s.

"He has been on the bench and is another I am excited about."

Chris Lester had been named in matchday squads but has yet to make an appearance for the senior side. Lester, along with Josh Vela, did not feature in Bolton's U21 loss against Norwich City yesterday.