Shrewsbury v Wolves preview: Dave Edwards to miss clash against former club
Wolves remain without Willy Boly for the trip to Shrewsbury
Saturday 26 January 2019 00:05, UK
Shrewsbury midfielder Dave Edwards has ruled himself out of playing against his former club Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Edwards picked up a slight groin problem against Charlton a week ago, but despite being close to full fitness, he is focused on getting back to feature in his side's upcoming league games.
"It was a decision I made, as I've been building up my fitness but I got to the point on Wednesday after training I felt a little bit tight," he said.
"With me missing training, I just felt it was too big a risk for me to train on Thursday and Friday to try to be put into a game.
"As disappointing as it is for me, it's more about the long term picture, and hopefully I will be out training again shortly. If I can miss this game and then focus on the league games ahead, that's more important."
Meanwhile, Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo insists he would be happy to accept another hit to his bank balance after his £8,000 fine.
Nuno was punished by the Football Association this week after running onto the pitch to celebrate Diogo Jota's last-minute winner in Saturday's 4-3 win over Leicester.
But, ahead of Saturday's FA Cup trip to Shrewsbury, he admitted he may be unable to control his emotions again in the future.
"Not only me - managers, players, it's such a moment of joy sometimes you cannot contain yourself," he said. "Everyone knows it's hard to contain those emotions in such a special moment; the last minute of the game, and a goal which gave us such an important victory.
"I tried to avoid it, but I think I still maintain the referee took the right decision, but everyone understands why I went onto the pitch."
Team news
Wolves remain without Willy Boly for the FA Cup trip to Shrewsbury.
The defender is serving a three-game ban for his red card against Manchester City earlier this month.
Boss Nuno has no injury concerns, but he is likely to make changes with John Ruddy, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Adama Traore poised to start.
Romain Vincelot will hope to make his Shrewsbury debut after joining on an 18-month loan from Crawley on Tuesday.
Opta stats
- Shrewsbury and Wolves last met in the 2013-14 season in League One, with the Shrews failing to score in either game (D1 L1).
- Wolves have only faced Shrewsbury in the FA Cup once before, winning a quarter-final replay in the 1978-79 season.
- Shrewsbury have been eliminated in five of their last six FA Cup ties against top-flight opposition, winning the other 2-1 against Everton in January 2003.
- Wolves have only progressed from three of their last 13 FA Cup fourth round ties, though they did win their most recent tie at this stage in 2016-17 against Liverpool.
- This is Wolves' first FA Cup tie against a side from a lower division since January 2013, when they faced non-league Luton Town and lost 0-1.
Merson's prediction
Wolves could be a dangerous animal in the FA Cup this season. They should not have too many problems here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
