Kevin McIntyre hopes to be back in the Shrewsbury Town mix by the middle of March – in time to play a pivotal role in the club’s promotion push, writes CHRIS HUDSON.

The 31-year-old suffered a double fracture of the fibula in the 1-1 draw away to Port Vale last month, but is making good progress towards a full recovery.

He hopes to get the green light to resume running within the next fortnight and believes it will only be a week from then before he can start full contact training.

“I see the specialist on February 24 and hopefully he will give me a better idea of how far away I am,” the former Macclesfield man revealed.

“I’m looking at being back and available by the middle of March and I can’t wait, because it’s all been a bit of a nightmare for me.

“I’m just thankful it looks like I can come back in time to get involved in some important games – I think if I’d been told I would be out for the rest of the season it would have done my head in.”

Scouser McIntyre will find himself fighting for a place in a midfield which has been strengthened by the signing of Terry Dunfield during the transfer window.

And the experienced left-footer is well-placed to assess the contribution the new man can make to Town’s engine room.

“I know Terry Dunfield well from our Macclesfield days together,” he revealed.

“He’s a good player and, once he settles in, he’ll do really well for the team.

“He’s a great passer of the ball and he keeps things moving – he’s very different to me.

“I like to make forward runs and he’s more of a get-on-the-ball creative type of player.”