Cotterill back at game after four months battling coronavirus

» SHREWSBURY manager Steve Cotterill made his return to football in his side’s 3-2 home loss to Oxford United after spending four months away due to Covid-19 and subsequent complications from the disease.

The 56-year-old former Cheltenham Town player and manager spent time in intensive care after initially testing positive for coronavirus on January 1.

Cotterill, who last took charge of Shrewsbury against Blackpool on December 29, spent 33 days at Bristol Royal Infirmary before being discharged in mid-february.

But Cotterill was readmitted on March 1 and spent another 16 days in hospital with Covid-19 pneumonia.

Assistant manager Aaron Wilbraham said: “Steve being here gave everyone a lift. You could see from 70 minutes, they’d had a free week and we had a game. We just didn’t have the legs at the end.

“He was really pleased with how much effort the lads put in. Him being at the game gave everyone a massive lift and he enjoyed seeing the boys.

Cotterill has spent more than 25 years as a manager, taking charge of Birmingham, Burnley, Bristol City, Nottingham Forest and Stoke amongst others.

Shrewsbury secured their League One status with a 1-0 win at Blackpool last weekend.