Shrewsbury Town have been labelled the League Two favourites for 2008-9 – by the man who came within 90 minutes of leading his side to promotion last season.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill believes the signings of Grant Holt, for £170,000, and experienced defender Michael Jackson this week have made Town the stand-out candidates for championship challenge for what, at this stage, looks a wide open division.

Hill knows what is required to mount a sustained promotion challenge after seeing his side suffer the agony of a Wembley play-off final defeat to Stockport at the end of last month.

“For the budget and resources that they (Shrewsbury) had, they failed (last season) but they have wiped the slate clean and gone again,” said Hill.

“For me, they are favourites to win our League next season.

“They have already recruited Grant Holt, they have got Michael Jackson from Blackpool and they are trying to recruit (Graham) Coughlan from Rotherham.

“With the players that they have got and with with the resources that they possess, they are definitely my favourites.”

Meanwhile, manager Paul Simpson insists he is not required to sell players he would like to remain at Oteley Road – despite his summer recruitment.

“I’m in a really fortunate position,” said the Town boss. “The chairman (Roland Wycherley) is saying it’s a case of keeping the squad we want to try and make us successful.

“Hopefully it will just be a case of the ones I don’t think can help us I can allow to move on, and the ones I want to keep I can keep here.”

Simpson has straight-batted suggestions Town have received an offer for last season’s player of the year Marc Tierney.

“I’m not going to comment on every rumour because that can be a full-time job in itself,” he added.

“There have been enquiries about a couple of our players – no firm bids, just enquiries.

“What I will say is I’m trying to assemble a squad capable of competing at the right end of the table and Marc Tierney is someone who can be part of that.”

By James Garrison