Shrewsbury Town were today gearing up for the part one of an away triple header which manager Paul Simpson believes will prove a useful acid test.

Town make the trip to Notts County tomorrow before travelling to Exeter in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday and Morecambe in the League next Saturday.

“These three games will give us a pretty good idea of where we are at,” said Simpson.

“We will still be only five games into the season by the end of it and there will still be a hell of a long way to go.

“We could be in a really good position after these games – but we have got three good tests starting at Notts County tomorrow.”

Simpson watched tomorrow’s opponents in action earlier this week when they were beaten 4-0 at Premiership Wigan in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

“They have got good pace in wide areas and two experienced strikers in Jamie Forrester and Delroy Facey so we will have to continue defending well,” he added.

“They will be desperate to get their first League win of the season and also to stop our unbeaten run.

“We will be respectful of the opposition but we also have to be respectful of what we are capable of doing.”

Simpson will be forced into at least one change for the trip to Meadow Lane, with Richard Walker ruled out after pulling his hamstring in last week’s narrow victory over Aldershot.

Battling

Dave Hibbert and Michael Symes are the two players likely to be battling for a place alongside Grant Holt – with the latter enhancing his claims with a four-goal salvo for the reserves against Sheffield Wednesday earlier this week.

“I spoke to Symsey on Tuesday about what we were looking for from him and he certainly gave us the right reaction on Wednesday,” added Simpson.

“His goals were the reward for his hard work and it wasn’t about anybody giving me a reminder because all the players are part of the squad.

“It’s about everyone doing things properly to make sure they are ready if called upon – and everyone did that on Wednesday which was really pleasing.”

By James Garrison