He’s worked his way back into the starting line-up – now Shrewsbury Town’s Neil Ashton is determined to make his preferred position his own.

After having to rely largely on a diet of substitute appearances and reserve team football in the first half of the season, Ashton has enjoyed an upturn in fortunes since the turn of the year.

Initially, the Liverpudlian found midfield as his route back into the team.

But Tuesday’s goalless draw at Barnet saw Ashton replace Shane Cansdell-Sherriff in his more recognisable position at left-back – and he is determined to retain his spot for tomorrow’s visit of Brentford and beyond.

“I’m just happy playing, wherever it will be. But it was nice to play left back again and hopefully I can cement that place to be my own and get a run of games there,” said the 23-year-old.

“If you look at the training here, you can’t take anything for granted.

“I was speaking to the new signing Terry (Dunfield) and he was on about the difference in training and here it is difficult and demanding from everyone, no matter who is in the team and who is not.

“You have to be on your mettle every day in training and that’s how it should be.”

Brentford arrive in Shropshire in second place in League Two. But Town know victory in another crucial top-of-the-table encounter will see them leapfrog the Bees.

“It’s a massive game,” admitted Ashton. “They have shown how good they are to be near the top of the table and quite consistent, so it will be a difficult game but with our home record, hopefully we can get the points to go above them.

“It’s a great home record but contrary to that the away record is shocking really. We have to sort the away record out and keep the home form going to propel us into those top three places.

“We have spoken about it many a time and nobody can put their finger on it. It’s just not happening for us.

“We will keep battling onto the end of the season and hopefully improve that away record.”

By JAMES GARRISON