Wigan Athletic midfielder departs

Laurent, who spent the vast majority of last season on loan at Bury, didn’t travel with the rest of the Latics squad for their recent warm-weather training camp in Spain.

And he has, as expected, joined a Shrewsbury side who were narrowly squeezed out of the League One promotion hunt by Latics and Blackburn last term.

The 23-year-old midfielder was one of eight players brought to Wigan by then-boss Warren Joyce on a crazy transfer deadline day in January, 2017.

His departure means there are now no remnants of the ill-fated, and brief, Joyce stewardship - apart from Alex Bruce, who left only to return again.

Laurent played four times in total for Latics, including one substitute’s appearance in the league, scoring one goal.

Speculation also surrounds the futures of winger Ryan Colclough and striker Devante Cole, who were also left at home last week.

League One outfit Portsmouth are thought to be keen on both Colclough and Cole, who have 12 months and two years respectively left on their contracts.

Cook, meanwhile, is continuing to run the rule over free agents Darron Gibson, James Perch and Ross Wallace, who have impressed after being invited to train with the squad this summer.

The manager remains hopeful of landing all three subject to terms being agreed, which would add proven quality and top-level experience to his squad.

The trio are expected to feature again at Chesterfield on Wednesday night in Tommy Lee’s testimonial.