The revolving door was spinning fast at Shrewsbury Town today – with Sean Thornton checking in from Leyton Orient and Marc Pugh heading out to Luton.

Former Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder Thornton, 25, has signed on an initial one-month loan and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s League Two clash with Gillingham at the Prostar Stadium.

His arrival is a timely one, with Town currently short of midfield options due to injuries to Paul Murray (Achilles) and David Hunt (knee).

Thornton began his career at Tranmere and also spent three years at Sunderland, making 64 appearances for the Mackems before joining Doncaster in a then-club record £175,000 deal.

He joined Leyton Orient in July 2007 and made 30 League One appearances last season.

He also started the first three games this season before falling out of favour under boss Martin Ling, who declared: “There is undoubtedly a talent there, but it only shows its head now and again and I feel Sean needs a wake-up call.”

That is not a concern to Paul Simpson though, the Town boss revealing: “I’ve been looking to try and strengthen in midfield with both Murray and Hunt out for a number of weeks.

“Sean’s a creative midfielder who can get goals and I’m hoping that he will come in and improve our squad.

“I’ve not been particularly happy with the link between the back four and the strikers and the way we’ve been playing.

“We haven’t been playing the football that I wanted to – and I’m hoping that Sean will come in and help us.”

Meanwhile, winger Pugh has joined Town’s League Two rivals Luton Town on loan after finding himself on the fringes of Simpson’s plans at Shrewsbury.

It’s a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire for Pugh, with Luton having started the season on minus- 30 points due to penalties enforced for financial difficulties.

“He’s not getting games here so it will do him good to go and play elsewhere,” said Simpson. “Pugh is still under contract and it is up to him to show me at Luton that he needs to come back and get into our squad.

“It’s a good move for him. It’s a very good set-up at Luton and their manager Mick Harford is a top bloke and a good coach.”