Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Simpson was today hoping to close in on another double transfer swoop - as the prospects of a clean bill of health moved closer.Simpson has confirmed he is hoping to tie up two deals - which would take his number of pre-season recruits to eight - before Saturday’s final friendly against Premier League Stoke.
If successful, one would be a permanent move with the other a loan signing - and Simpson insisted he would not be required to move on any of his current squad for the transfers to go ahead.
“I’m hopeful we will have two more in by the weekend,” said Simpson.
“We have been talking for a while now but I’m hopeful that there will be a little bit of movement by the weekend.
“There are no outs at this moment in time. There does need to to be outs but again I take my hat off to the chairman.
“He’s the one saying let’s go and do it and let’s see if we can get the best we possibly can.”
Meanwhile, David Hibbert and Darren Moss were hoping to return to training today as the race for starting shirts for the season opener against Macclesfield in 10 days time intensifies.
Hibbert missed Monday’s narrow Shropshire Senior Cup semi-final victory over Market Drayton with a stomach strain - while Moss sat out yesterday with a minor injury sustained in training.
Midfielder Paul Murray is the only other to be carrying a slight niggle after sustaining a sore hip against Drayton.
Midfielder Ben Davies believes his side’s intense pre-season training programme could leave them amongst the fittest teams in League Two.
“A lot of the lads have said it’s the toughest pre-season they have been involved and the five days we had in Spain was the hardest I have ever done,” said the former Chester man.
“It’s only going to stand us in good stead for the season.
“At times last season, I didn’t think we were fit enough as a group but that won’t be a problem this season and hopefully it will make a big difference in the last 20 minutes of games.”
By James Garrison
13 Comments
A good size squad is what we need and all fit and raring to go. Bring on the Macc. Up the Town !
one should be a keeper.
a squad of this size seems to be good.The more players hopefully means more competition for spots in team
I hope goalkeeper and creative midfield player.
We need an explosive midfield player with some pace
Is Derek Asamoah coming on loan.
Well thats the permanent deal done with - another great signing in Graham Coughlan.
Now for the loanee, keeper or midfielder? Absolute long shot but what chance Casper Schmeichel?
A classy keeper on a year long loan ? Simmo seems able to talk virtually anyone into joining us so I wait expectantly ! Up the Town !
I’m pleased that the pre season traing has been tough, so many players not fit enough last season,its good to have a person who is the boss making the players earn what they get paid for.
UP THE TOWN
very large squad with some players who need clubs finding, merredith, madjo, symes,and possibly ashton
sshh! whisper this quietly but i spy automatic promotion. we must have one of the strongest squads in the league. i agree we could do with another goalie. i hope we can afford all this outlay. come on joe play again for england.
we were known briefly as the man utd of the conference, are we now to be the chelsea of league 2? well done simmo, a hearty ffff floreat salopia to you and all the squad from deepest devon. ps please get rid of that lenny the lion badge, but let us hear it for the prostar STADIUM!!
this is fab news
sorry i said stadium, please make it the prostar meadow, sort stoke out, with our squad we are capable of holding our own in the championship!