Experienced defender Graham Coughlan could be on the brink of returning to the Shrewsbury Town first-team fold this weekend.
The 33-year-old stopper has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury in the second game of the season, the Carling Cup defeat to Carlisle.
But Dublin-born Coughlan has made encouraging progress - and may come into contention for tomorrow’s trip to Morecambe.
“Graham has got a chance,” said manager Paul Simpson. “He has done a full week in training and seems okay.
“I will decide when I see how he is after yesterday and today’s session whether or not I’m going to bring him back into it.
“But he’s definitely got a chance of being involved on what I have seen so far.”
Should Coughlan be declared fit, Simpson would be presented with an interesting dilemma, with Mike Jackson and Kelvin Langmead also battling for central defensive starts.
Striker Dave Hibbert is set to return to the squad after missing the midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy trip to Exeter with a calf problem, but Paul Murray, Richard Walker and David Hunt remain sidelined.
Meanwhile, Simpson believes victory at Christie Park tomorrow would cap a near perfect seven days on the road - following on from the draw at Notts County and success at Exeter.
“It’s been a testing week for us with the journeys and the fixtures as well,” he added.
“On paper maybe Notts County and Morecambe don’t look really difficult games but they are for different reasons.
“Notts County were desperate for their first home win and Morecambe are looking for their first three points of the season.
Physical
“We know they will be scrapping and that it’s going to be a real physical battle.
“But in this League you have to have performances where people are prepared to go and roll their sleeves up, dig in and work hard for it.
“Any team that is successful has to have that character even, at Premier League level.
“We have done that. We have played some good football at times. We have created many opportunities - the games haven’t been as one-sided as people have wanted to make out. We have had lots of opportunities in every game.
“I’m pleased we are creating chances, but I want even more. I want wide players getting six, seven, eight crosses in. I want shots coming in from the edge of the box.”
5 Comments
don’t drop Langmead!
Report abuse
Well done to all at Shrews.Keep her lit.
Report abuse
I watched “Cocko” playing for years as captain of (Plymouth)Argyle as we went up, up and up again, mainly due to his outstanding performances and leadership. If you guys can get him fit and out on the pitch, promotion is a dead cert!!! Alongside Micky Heathcote who did both our clubs proud in his prime, “Cocko” is the best defender to have played outside of the top flite in recent years.
Report abuse
I am a Town supporter,but,I’m fed up hearing about wembley already, town players making comments in the papers, the wind helped beat us on sat but we allowed it too, why did we have to kick it in the air, come on lads and you Paul, good simple football, intelligent thinking before we go out onto the park, Roll up your sleeves,Dig in,Work hard for it, Character, we need it now forget wembley and all the other rubbish lets work on promotion.
Come on Salop we can do this,believe in ourselves we have a great team of potential winners, lets all help one another and win this Division first.
Then you can all brag as much as you like.
Report abuse
Don’t tell me someone forgot to tighten the wheel nuts and the wheels have fallen off.
Ban thoughts of Wembley and players writing in the newspapers,then concentrate on wining football matches.Thats what you get paid for.
I’m still you favourite supporter.
Report abuse