Shrewsbury Town boss Matt Taylor admits they will miss captain Chey Dunkley in this weekend's FA Cup tie against Colchester.

Centre-back Dunkley was sent off after just four minutes of their League One game against former club Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium last weekend, after hauling down Thelo Aasgaard.

And Stephen Humphrys put the hosts ahead on 35 minutes, before substitute Callum Lang sealed a 2-0 win midway through the second half.

And Dunkley will now miss the first-round tie with U's due to suspension, with Taylor telling the club website: "It's difficult, it's avoidable. He's got to own it. He's got to own the fact he's made that error.

"I think he will do. He's got to accept it and he's got a different role within the group now because he can't play.

"Someone else now gets an opportunity. It's a chance for someone else to try and keep the shirt.

"Will it be difficult? Yeah, when you lose a player of the stature of Chey, but at the same time it's avoidable. We shouldn't be losing a player after four minutes, especially an experienced one making the decision to make that tackle.

"So I'm really disappointed but we move on. It's another opportunity for someone else to get a chance on Saturday against Colchester in the cup and show us what we can do."

Shrewsbury were without Brandon Fleming, after he failed a fitness test, and Kieran Phillips, who has had an exploratory operation.

But Taylor hopes to have a couple of other players available for selection against the U's.

“The one good thing this week is we’ve had Jordan Shipley and Elliot Thorpe back in the training group," he added.

“I’m hopeful both of those will be available in some capacity next weekend.

“So while I don’t think Brandon will be absent for a long period of time, Kieran might be a bit longer but as I say, I can’t give you the specifics on that because I don’t know it.

“What I will say if the group will get a lift from Elliot Thorpe and Jordan Shipley being back involved – whether or not Brandon Fleming is available or fit to play."

Shrewsbury are currently down in 18th place in League One, with 17 points from 15 matches, and have netted just three times in their last six outings.