Stoke City’s Favour Fawunmi turned out for Shrewsbury Town in their opening pre-season clash — and caught the eye of boss Gavin Cowan.

What happened in the trial?

The 20-year-old forward came on at half-time for Salop’s 0-0 draw with non-league Stafford Rangers at Marston Road. In his 45-minute cameo, Fawunmi skipped past two defenders before driving a shot that was turned behind for a corner. Cowan, who watched from the dugout, labelled the cameo “really good” and “really sharp” after the game.

Why it matters for Stoke City

Fawunmi remains under contract at the bet365 Stadium until June 2027, having joined from West Ham United in February 2025. The forward has made nine first-team appearances for Stoke City so far, including two in the Championship. His recent loan spell at Leyton Orient was cut short by a hamstring injury in early April, but he returned to Clayton Wood to complete his rehabilitation.

Shrewsbury’s pre-season outing also featured seven of their own summer recruits, including Jay Turner-Cooke, Josh Davison and Jack Price. The League One side now have Fawunmi in the frame as they finalise their squad before the 2026-27 campaign kicks off.

What comes next for Fawunmi?

The youngster’s future hinges on whether Shrewsbury can meet Stoke’s valuation or offer a loan with an option to buy. Cowan refused to commit after the game, simply stating: “I can’t say anything at the moment.” With Stoke sitting 17th in the Championship on 55 points and five games behind Coventry, every first-team option matters as they chase survival.

League standing: Stoke City are 17th in the Championship, on 55 points from 46 games, with a recent run of five straight losses.