Andy Cooke is hoping to make it onto the bench for his Valley Parade return tonight.

The former Bantam today had more treatment on a calf problem he suffered a week ago in a reserve game.

It is the latest blow for Cooke, who fired his home-town club to Wembley in the play-offs last season.

He was gutted to miss City's trip to the New Meadow in August after tearing his hamstring against Colchester four days before, an injury that threatened to end his career.

The striker, who was 34 last week, was laid low for nearly five months before returning with a goal against Stockport on Boxing Day but, after a handful of appearances, Cooke has found himself back on the sidelines.

David Hibbert, who never scored in his time with City, is Shrewsbury's top scorer with ten goals, although he has been relegated to the bench following the emergence of Cameroon striker Guy Madjo.

Bought for £20,000 from non-league Crawley, Madjo was called up for his national team's training squad ahead of the African Cup of Nations.

He has scored twice in three games for the Shrews, including their goal at Grimsby on Saturday which should have earned three points - but Hibbert missed a great chance to double the lead after coming on and they were made to pay with an equaliser in stoppage time.

Shrewsbury had played the last 35 minutes with ten men after centre half Colin Murdock was dismissed for a professional foul. Darran Kempson will take his place tonight.

Boss Gary Peters believes the last two games have been the best Shrewsbury have played and said: "We will be positive and play this way until the end of the season."

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