Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon says that Josh Ginnelly would be playing regular first-team football at the League One outfit now, had he not rejected the chance to sign a new contract with the club.

Ginnelly left Shrewsbury Town to join Burnley
Ginnelly left Shrewsbury Town to join Burnley

The highly-rated youngster declined the chance to sign fresh terms with the Shropshire-based outfit and joined Championship Burnley instead, where he is yet to make his first-team debut.

The 18-year-old has been replaced by loan star Sullay Kaikai in the Shrewsbury team and Mellon has told the Shropshire Star that it could have quite easily been Ginnelly wearing his shoes.

He said: "Sullay's very similar to Josh Ginnelly - Josh would have been in Kaikai's shoes instead of Burnley's Under-21's.

"Look at Ryan Woods and Connor Goldson - they got big moves from playing for us.

"Josh is a similar age but he is playing in an under-21 team, Young players are at these massive clubs but they haven't got a tenth of the games those guys have got.

"Sullay has come here to play and if he plays he will get better and he'll go somewhere and be a first-team player."

Shrewsbury Town currently sit in 19th place in Sky Bet League One, having accrued only eight points from eight league games.

The side have won two, drawn two and lost four so far this season, and Mellon will no doubt be eager to secure three points on Saturday when they face a struggling Blackpool side at home.

Shrewsbury fans...Do you think Ginnelly was wrong to leave the club at such a young age? How do you rate Kaikai? Would you like to see the loan extended? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!