The Emirates FA Cup takes centre stage on Saturday, as Wolves host League Two Shrewsbury Town at Molineux, and here’s all you need to know before the lunchtime kick-off.
1 | Roll Call
Despite going off in the second half against Everton in midweek with a knock, Ladislav Krejci is expected to be fine for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Shrewsbury to Molineux, head coach Rob Edwards revealed in his pre-match press conference. Jhon Arias and Hee Chan Hwang also came off during Wolves' first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but should both be available to take their place in the squad tomorrow. Edwards has also been handed an injury boost in the form of Rodrigo Gomes who has been back in full training with the group this week, and is likely to get some minutes under his belt on Saturday. Long term absentees Marshall Munetsi, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Toti remain on the sidelines, while Emmanuel Agbadou is still at AFCON with Ivory Coast reaching the quarter-finals.
Shrewsbury are going to be without Anthony Scully after the forward was forced off inside the opening 10 minutes of Salop's 3-0 defeat to fellow League Two strugglers Bristol Rovers to start 2026, while Michael Appleton has also revealed defenders Josh Ruffels and Tom Sang missed the New Year's Day defeat due to a calf problem and illness respectively, while George Nurse has joined Cheltenham Town after leaving the Shrews by mutual consent on Thursday. Wolves Academy graduate Taylor Perry is set for his first return to Molineux since his move to Shrewsbury in 2023.
2 | Stat Pack
Goals
- Jorgen Strand Larsen | 3
- John Marquis | 5
Assists
- Hee Chan Hwang | 2
- Sam Clucas | 6
Biggest win
- Wolves 3-0 West Ham | January 2026
- Barnet 1-3 Shrewsbury | September 2025
Yellow cards
- Joao Gomes | 7
- Will Boyle | 9
Clean sheets
- Jose Sa | 1
- Will Brook | 4
3 | Road to Saturday
Wolves are entering the cup tie in improved form, having gone the past three Premier League games unbeaten. The latest of those came on Wednesday night at Everton, where Mateus Mane’s second goal in as many games earned a point from a losing position. Prior to that Hill Dickinson Stadium trip, the Old Gold had drawn at Manchester United and beaten West Ham United 3-0 at Molineux – the last Molineux outing. Wolves’ points total of seven is much improved in recent weeks, but still some way off safety, meaning the Emirates FA Cup provides a welcome respite.
Shrewsbury arrive at Molineux on the back of fourth successive defeats. Their Salford City fixture last weekend was postponed, meaning a New Year’s Day defeat to Bristol Rovers on home soil was their last outing. Prior to that, the Shrews were beaten by Chesterfield, Cheltenham Town and Grimsby Town. To reach round three of the Emirates FA Cup, they’ve needed to beat non-league opposition twice – first South Shields, and then with two injury time goals away to Sutton United.
That man Mane again 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ljLR02ocDr
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 7, 2026
4 | Salop classic in the FA Cup
In 2019 Wolves and Shrewsbury met in the fourth round of the FA Cup, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side avoided a shock at New Meadow and edged an exciting replay back at Molineux.
In the first tie in Shropshire, Shrewsbury led 2-0 with 19 minutes remaining thanks to goals from Greg Docherty and Luke Waterfall. Raul Jimenez then came off the bench to half the deficit, before Matt Doherty’s late equaliser forced a replay.
The second game wasn’t straightforward either, however. After Doherty’s second strike of the tie early on, the visitors turned the game around and led through James Bolton and Josh Laurent.
Nuno’s side showed enough to progress however, with Doherty equalising before half-time and Ivan Cavaleiro finding the winner after it. Wolves would enjoy a run to the semi-final that season.
Wolves | Ruddy, Doherty, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Jonny, Saiss, Gibbs-White, Cavaleiro (Ennis 89), Costa (Moutinho 69), Traore (Jimenez 77).
Shrewsbury | Arnold, Haynes, Beckles, Bolton, Waterfall, Laurent, Docherty, Vincelot (Sears 38), Gilliead (Whalley 66), Norburn, Okenabirhie (Amadi-Holloway 78).
