Shrewsbury Town welcome Graham Coughlan back for this weekend’s trip to Macclesfield – with the skipper setting a minimum promotion target of 74 points.
Coughlan has been forced to sit out the last fortnight with a hamstring injury suffered in the early stages of the 1-1 draw at Burton Albion.
But the Irishman is on course to return for Saturday’s game at Moss Rose.
“I’ve done my rehabilitation to the letter of the law and came back into training on Monday and Tuesday,” aid Coughlan.
“Nathan Ring (physio) and the medical team have been fantastic and I haven’t felt any effects so all being well I should be back in contention for the squad on Saturday.
“I’ve been fortunate because I think I’ve only missed four or five games through injury since I’ve been at the club which is pleasing.”
Coughlan’s return comes at a time when Shrewsbury are in desperate need of consistency if they are to keep their promotion dream alive.
A run of five games unbeaten was ended by Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Accrington Stanley and Town currently lie sixth, although they are in danger of sliding out of the play-off zone when their promotion rivals have played all their games in hand.
“If we can show the consistency that has been missing so far, there is no reason why we shouldn’t still be challenging for the top three,” added the 35-year-old , who is out of contract at the end of the season.
“I went to see Rotherham and Bournemouth last night (Bournemouth won 3-1) and I can’t see why we can’t be up there with these teams.
“We have to realise this is it – this is the run-in and we have 18 cup finals left.
“We have got 42 points at the moment and I think we are going to need somewhere between 72 and 74 points to get in the top seven.
“Anything more than that and you are going to have a chance of automatic promotion.”
Two goals from Will Richards helped Shrewsbury reserves defeat Macclesfield 2-0 yesterday.
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