Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Steve Arnold likely to miss the remainder of season
Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Steve Arnold is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury.
The stopper limped off late on during Salop's 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth with the muscular problem, shortly after the visitors’ second goal.
The news comes as a big blow to boss Sam Ricketts, who see his side sit a single point ahead of the relegation places with just seven games remaining.
Arnold joined Shrewsbury last summer, and has made more than 30 appearances this season.
Jonathan Mitchell, on loan from Derby, is likely to fill the void between the sticks having replaced the 29-year-old from the bench previously.
Fellow keeper Reice Charles-Cook could also deputise if Ricketts opts for Town's other goalkeeper.
Ricketts previously backed Mitchell to prove a worthy deputy for Arnold immediately following the defeat to Portsmouth, as Arnold's injury was being assessed.
“I’ve got huge confidence in all the keepers here,” Ricketts said.
Town have had other fitness concerns this week heading into a huge relegation six-pointer at managerless Southend, who sacked Chris Powell this week.
Defender James Bolton has missed training with a foot injury picked up against Portsmouth. He has been in and out of the side in recent weeks owing to a previous ankle problem.
Midfielder and stand-in skipper Ollie Norburn is another who has missed sessions at Sundorne this week while struggling with an Achilles knock.
Fejri Okenabirhie, Town's 14-goal top scorer, has also been sidelined in training this week. The forward tweaked his knee during last week's game.
All the injuries have come at an unfortunate time for boss Ricketts. With Arnold a definite absentee, the aforementioned trio will be assessed before Town travel to the struggling Essex side tomorrow.
