SHREWSBURY Town were surprise League One play-off finalists last season, but if defeat to Rotherham United in that clash was a body blow, worse news has followed over summer.

Key players Jon Nolan and Toto Nsiala have both been the subject of bids from Ipswich Town, who are now managed by last season's Shrews boss Paul Hurst.

Having seen their current employers reject those offers, the pair subsequently handed in transfer requests. As a result, both players have been banished from the training ground and will take no part in tomorrow's clash against Bradford City.

Manager John Askey is unhappy about the situation but he feels that there is no alternative. He said: "“Obviously it’s disappointing from our point of view.

“When you get to this stage of pre-season it’s not news you want to hear. I’m afraid that’s football these days so we have just to get on with it.

"The most important thing for me is looking after Shrewsbury Town and getting players who want to play for the football club."

City will travel to face the Shrews at the Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium expecting to see a few familiar faces.

However, the former Bradford City pair of Alex Gilliead and Luke Hendrie, who both joined the club this year, are not expected to make Askey's starting eleven tomorrow.

Elsewhere, Stefan Payne can provide a goalscoring threat to the Bantams defence. He scored 11 league goals for the club last season, including some crucial winners.

With the influential Nolan set to leave, Shrewsbury could be heavily reliant on key midfielder Shaun Whalley. The wide man bagged eight goals and 11 assists in last year's League One campaign.

Until the start of last season, right back James Bolton had never played in the Football League before. The versatile defender took to the challenge with ease though, and was a virtual ever-present in their run to the play-off final.

Askey will begin a two-game ban tomorrow for a dugout incident while in charge of previous side Macclesfield, and with uncertainty and tensions running high at Town, this could be an excellent time for City to tame the Shrews.