Town keeper winning fitness fight

Goalkeeper Scott Bevan looks set to be winning his battle to be fit for the start of Shrewsbury Town’s pre-season training.Bevan has undergone a knee operation over the summer, with manager Paul Simpson harbouring some concerns that the former Kidderminster custodian could miss Town’s return.

But all the signs are that the 29-year-old will join the remainder of his team-mates when pre-season gets under way a fortnight tomorrow.

“Scott had a problem with his knee but it was something he felt he could get through to the end of the season with,” said manager Paul Simpson.

“He did that and he’s had a little tidy-up operation which has gone well.

“There was possibility that he would miss the start of pre-season, but the rehabilitation is going well and I expect Scott to be ready to start on July 3.

“That’s good news because, if at all possible, you want all your players ready to start pre-season and it looks like we are heading towards that.

“We were in a good position because Scott was the only one who needed any type of operation at the end of the season and that’s a very low number.”

Bevan arrived at Shrewsbury in January in the move which also saw James Constable to Oteley Road.

He was forced to bide his time before getting a first-team opportunity, but that came in the 1-1 draw at Morecambe in April when he replaced Glyn Garner.

Bevan then did enough to retain the No 1 jersey for the remainder of the season at Garner’s expense, but will face competition from the Welshman and former youth team goalkeeper Jasbir Singh next season.

Defender Kelvin Langmead is also on course to be fit after missing the final month of the last campaign with a knee problem.

“He has been jogging and come through that okay so hopefully Kelvin will be fine,” added Simpson.

By James Garrison