Sam Ricketts hits out at FA Cup ban rules after Shrewsbury stung again

Top scorer Okenabirhie sat out the first tie 10 days ago after collecting two bookings in the earlier stages of the competition.

And Norburn is the latest to fall foul of the new ruling, which states that bans picked up from accumulating FA Cup cautions will now be served in the competition itself, rather than in the league.

Ricketts argues that, as Shrewsbury already played three ties to reach the third-round stage, the ruling is unfair and favours higher-ranked clubs who enter in the third round.

“Ollie Norburn is suspended, Fey will be back in, Dave Edwards isn’t eligible, unfortunately, because he wasn’t here for the first leg,” said Ricketts, whose side were 12 minutes from progression to a fourth-round tie against Wolves before Peter Crouch’s equaliser.

“It’s a real disadvantage, the rules aren’t right. If you get booked in the FA Cup it only counts in the FA Cup this year.

“Obviously we’ve had to play games to get to the third round and Fey’s missing in the first tie and Norbs misses the replay.

“Stoke have come in at this level and don’t have anyone suspended.

“So we’re playing higher opposition and we’re handicapped, I think someone needs to have a good look at the rules because it’s not right.”

Edwards, who made his long-awaited Shrewsbury return in the closing stages of last Saturday’s 3-0 home reverse against Charlton, is ineligible for the replay as he wasn’t registered for the first tie.But his groin injury is being assessed as Town hope to have him available for Saturday’s clash at Blackpool. Shaun Whalley (hamstring) is not ready to return.

Town are likely to have 16-year-old under-18s goalkeeper Sam Agius on the bench at the Bet365 Stadium.

Meanwhile, midfielder Bryn Morris has completed his move to League One leaders Portsmouth for a nominal fee.