AFTER facing Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder in midweek, the visit of Wanderers may come as a welcome relief for Graham Turner’s Shrewsbury Town this afternoon.

A prestigious friendly against Turkish giants Galatasaray on Tuesday night provided a warm-up for today’s match at the Greenhous Meadow, itself a prequel for a League Cup clash between the two clubs in just over a fortnight’s time.

Fans heading for Shropshire should expect a similar Wanderers side to the one who fell to defeat at Rotherham United on Tuesday night, aside from the addition of David Wheater and David Ngog.

The pair were rested at the New York Stadium but Dougie Freedman has allayed any fears that injury was the cause of their absence.

“Wheats could have done a bit but I decided against it,” he said. “With his knee problem, I trained him very, very hard over the last 14 days and he’s got his base fitness sorted.

“He’s tired but he’ll feature Saturday.

“David is fit but I’m going a bit easy with him because we feel over the last couple of pre-seasons he’s found it a little harder to keep going through all the games.

“We’re talking about two fantastic footballers here who are very much in my thoughts, so we’re pulling right back on them and being very cautious.”

The game has come too soon for new arrival Jermaine Beckford, however, with the striker pencilled in to make his first appearance at Carlisle United next Tuesday.

“He’s only done some very light jogging but he did a fitness test with us a couple of weeks ago,” the manager said.

“He’ll train with us this week and then I’d guess next Tuesday he’d be ready to play some part – 15 or 20 minutes.”

Freedman was not unduly concerned with a defeat at Rotherham United, although he noted several improvements he will be looking for at the Greenhous Meadow.

“Let me go home and worry about results,” he said.

“I will put that down to being the first pre-season game. No need to panic.

“I’ve done it all – scored hat-tricks in the first game and been subbed after 45 minutes.

“It is just about trying to give everyone as much game time as I can and try them in as many positions as I can. When it comes down to it, I’m narrowing it down to the first game of the season.”

Full-back Joe Riley will sit out of the game with a knee injury but midfielder Josh Vela could be added to the squad after scoring from the spot against Skelmersdale on Wednesday for the development squad.