Ollie Norburn sidelined for Shrewsbury’s opener as Joe Murphy eyes debut

Posted Friday, August 02, 2019 by PA

Shrewsbury will be without midfielder Ollie Norburn for Saturday’s Sky Bet League One home clash with Portsmouth but new goalkeeper Joe Murphy could make his debut.

Norburn is out due to a knee injury sustained in training, joining Ryan Sears and Lenell John-Lewis (both also knee) on the sidelines.

Summer signing Murphy and Josh Laurent have returned to training after foot and thigh problems respectively. Dave Edwards (ankle) and Scott Golbourne, who has also been recovering from injury during pre-season, are set to be available.

Boss Sam Ricketts has said Anthony Grant will not be part of the first-team set-up this season “due to reasons which will remain in-house”.

John Marquis is in line to make his ‘second debut’ for Portsmouth in the contest at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

The striker joined from Doncaster on Wednesday, returning to a club he had previously spent time on loan with in 2013-14.

Pompey boss Kenny Jackett has also brought in the likes of Marcus Harness, Ross McCrorie and Sean Raggett this summer.

Jackett is looking to build on a 2018-19 which saw his side qualify for the play-offs with a fourth-placed finish – exiting in the semi-finals – and win the Checkatrade Trophy.