'Got in his head': Shrewsbury Town chief hits out after deal for Sunderland striker Will Grigg collapses

The frontman looked set to head to the Shrews for much of last week, before he then signed for MK Dons on deadline day.

Caldwell has now confirmed that Shrewsbury did indeed have agreements in place with the Black Cats and Grigg for a loan move - only for that deal to collapse.

And he feels media speculation led to the interest from MK Dons in re-signing the striker, having claimed manager Russell Martin 'got in his head' before swooping in.

Speaking to Shrewsbury's official website, Caldwell said: "We did agree everything with Sunderland. We did agree everything with Will.

"Obviously from Sunderland's point of view they wanted to get someone else in, which ended up being Ross Stewart which we were kind of aware of.

"Having been given the word from Sunderland that he wouldn't be going anywhere else, unfortunately I think the fact that there was a hold-up then appearing in media circles last Friday alerted MK Dons.

"MK Dons and Russell Martin got in his head between Friday and Sunday, even though we actually had an agreement ready and waiting to be signed by Sunderland and we had an agreement with Will to come all of last week.

"In football, sometimes these things can happen - but I like to think if I give my word to somebody I wouldn't let them down."

Speaking after signing for MK Dons, Grigg said: “I’m so pleased to be back. I’m grateful to everyone at the Club for getting this one over the line and I can’t wait to get going again.

“I absolutely loved my time here before. I had such a successful spell, scoring goals and winning promotion and, as soon as I knew about the interest, it was something I wanted to push through.

“Anyone who knows me from my time here previously, knows that if balls are put in the right areas for me, I will score goals. I’m feeling really good at the moment and I’m itching to get back playing.”

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