FORMER Wanderers favourite Aaron Wilbraham has taken on his first coaching role.

The popular frontman is the new assistant manager of League One Shrewsbury Town where he links up with Steve Cotterill again, the former Burnley manager having recently replaced sacked ex-White Sam Ricketts at the helm.

The pair won the League One title and EFL Trophy together during their time at Bristol City.

Wilbraham carved his name into Wanderers folklore with a famous late goal against Nottingham Forest in May 2018 to preserve the club’s Championship status with a dramatic 3-2 victory.

The 41-year-old also counts Stockport, MK Dons and Rochdale among his former clubs.

Cotterill said: “Aaron is a fantastic professional and he’s a great lad.

“He’s had a fantastic career and he played for me at Bristol City. He was tremendous in the dressing room and was very popular.

“He was doing his coaching badges back then so there was always going to be a progression when he finished playing. I felt it was a great time to give Aaron his first opportunity.

“He’s a brilliant lad and he’ll be extremely popular in and around the place. I’m sure he’s going to be a great addition to our staff.”

Elsewhere, Stoke have signed former Wanderers keeper Andy Lonergan on a short-term deal.

The 37-year-old was a free agent after spending last season with Premier League champions Liverpool.

He has been picked up by the Championship Potters after Niki Maenpaa sustained an injury in training.

Maenpaa only joined the Potters on a short-term deal last week but has damaged a hand.

Lonergan was on the bench on Wednesday night as Stoke won 1-0 at Wycombe, the club having been hit by injuries to several senior keepers in recent weeks.