Asa happy to drop down leagues

New recruit Asa Hall would be prepared to swap the Premiership for League Two - should he establish himself as a Shrewsbury Town first-team regular by the end of this season.

The 21-year-old joined Town on loan from Birmingham for the remainder of the campaign earlier this week, and was expected to go straight into the squad for this afternoon’s home clash with Morecambe.

Hall has represented England at under-19 and under-20 level - winning two international starts against Moldova and Russia - but insists he would be happy to drop down the Leagues for the chance of regular first-team football.

“I’ve really settled in well to Shrewsbury and I’m looking forward to trying to break into the first team on a regular basis,” said the Dudley-based midfielder, who started his career at Wolves before moving onto Birmingham at the age of 16.”I have been in and around the first-team squad at Blues and played some pre-season games. It’s still open what can happen there and I think they will be sending someone to watch me a few times for Shrewsbury.

“I had quite a bit of contact with Steve Bruce and that has continued with Alex McLeish.

“But I want to be playing regular first-team football and if that means dropping down to League One or League Two then it’s definitely something I would consider.

“I’ve played in League Two before when I was on loan at Boston so I know a bit about the League. It’s a bit quicker than reserve football and every point you play for matters.

“The staff and the players have been really nice since I got here and the facilities here are fantastic.

“There have been a few clubs interested in taking me on loan, like Bristol Rovers, but nothing has come about. I’m a box-to-box midfielder who likes to get around the pitch and contribute a few goals so hopefully I can show people what I can do.”

An Official Supporters Club question and answer session with Gary Peters scheduled for Thursday night has been cancelled as it clashes with a similar function for new managing director Rob Bickerton. Peters will face the fans in February.A