Luke Jones is hoping for a final chance to shine in the closing two games of the season as he battles to earn a new contract at Shrewsbury Town.Manager Paul Simpson has seen his defensive options dwindle in the last 48 hours with Doncaster recalling Graeme Lee prematurely from his loan spell and Kelvin Langmead – who was today undergoing a scan – almost certain to miss the final two games due to a knee injury.

That could open the door for Jones who has largely been starved of first-team starts this season.

“I’m not sure whether the manager may want to go with players who are under contract for next season or not in the final two games,” said the former Blackburn Rovers youngster, who played in last night’s 3-2 reserve team victory at Walsall.

“We will just have to wait and see what happens but hopefully I will get a chance at some point and perform well.

“You always want as many chances as possible and it’s important with my contract running out.”

Jones is one of a trio of players, along with Colin Murdock and Jimmy Ryan, who do not have deals for next season.

But he is trying not to dwell too much on the possibility he may soon be without a club.

“It’s not nice not knowing whether or not you will get another deal but that’s the way football is,” said Jones, who turned 21 earlier this month.

“I will probably try and sit down with the manager soon and see what he’s thinking.

“It has been frustrating because I don’t think I have ever caught up from the injury (sustained in the pre-match warm-up at Wembley last May) because I think I’ve only had five first-team starts which has been disappointing.

“If I could get some more games under my belt next season then I would definitely like to stay because everyone knows it’s a good club with fantastic facilities.

“But it’s not something I’m trying to think about too much. I’m confident in my own abilities and hopefully I can finish the season strongly if I get the chance.”

Town’s home derby with Chester on Saturday is no longer an all-ticket affair.

By James Garrison