'Unfortunate' - Gavin Cowan expresses sympathy with Wolves loanee over lack of minutes at Shrewsbury Town

The Wolves loanee was named in matchday squads against Accrington Stanley and Salford City, but remained an unused substitute on both occasions.

Ojinnaka was one of seven January signings and is among seven loan players currently at the club - a situation Cowan says has worked against the 20-year-old, as he expressed sympathy for the midfielder.

"It's just such an unfortunate situation for the lad," Cowan said. "He's like a really good trainer, he's really strong. 

"But again, sometimes the loans for me, they're more the players that you take gambles at, at the top of the end of the pitch and we have got a lot of experience in that back line. 

"But look, you can never say never. He's came to see me, we had a really good conversation, I have got a great relationship with him. 

"In another universe, the lad would probably be playing. He's probably closer to the team than he is the squad. We can't even involve him in the matchday squad. 

"So, it's really unfortunate for him. But no blame attached to anyone in recruitment or any sense. It's just what the club felt they needed to do at the time.

"With injuries, no one could have foreseen that Bradley (Ihionvien) was going to be back anytime soon, and things needed to be done and pretty quickly. 

"So, look, (it's) the cards we’re being dealt with at the moment and I have to manage the players and their emotions. So, feeling for him at the moment."

Born in Italy, Ojinnaka joined Wolves at the age of 12 and progressed through the academy ranks, signing his first professional contract in February 2023.

Wolves boss Rob Edwards said last month that Ojinnaka’s loan spell at Shrewsbury will still prove valuable, regardless of game time.

The highly-rated 20-year-old has also been named on the bench for Wolves in Premier League fixtures against Manchester United and Everton this season.

Ojinnaka was one of two arrivals within 24 hours during the January window, following the signing of defender Isaac Lee from Flint Town United.

Lee is yet to make his debut for Salop but has been named on the bench in the last four matches, after initially missing Cowan’s first eight games in charge.

Cowan says the club are focusing on the defender’s development on the training ground.

He said: "Obviously, we give him a lot of guidance, and myself and Sean Parrish talk a lot about Isaac and how we're going to develop him, because he is a player at the moment in a developmental stage. 

"He's got all the attributes, there's no doubt in that. He's got all the attributes, all the ability, he just needs games. Just needs to be essentially put into stressful positions, and we're doing that a lot with him at training and that will have to develop at some point."

Lee became Shrewsbury’s fifth signing of the January transfer window, joining for an undisclosed fee on a long-term deal.