Skipper Graham Coughlan returns to former club Rotherham tomorrow hoping Shrewsbury Town can end their League Two season the way they started it – with three straight wins.

The 34-year-old leads Town out at the Don Valley Stadium knowing Shrewsbury’s hopes of reaching the play-offs are entering the last chance saloon.

Shrewsbury must make up one point on seventh place Chesterfield over the final three games to keep their promotion dream alive, and Coughlan is eyeing maximum points.

“We said in training yesterday that we had three League wins at the start, now let’s go and win the last three,” said the ultra-consistent defender, who spent one season at Rotherham during which financial difficulties and a subsequent points penalty denied the club a likely return to League One.

“Whether that will be enough points for the play-offs or more than we need only time will tell. But that’s what is on our agenda.”

Manager Paul Simpson has braced his side for a physical battle against a side who have lost just twice in the last 16 games and still have an outside chance of sneaking into the play-offs.

“I think we saw when Rotherham came here that they are a very physical side,” said Simpson.

“I’m expecting more of the same so we have to stand up and be counted.

“The belief and the ability are there.

“The performances against Rochdale, Bury and Wycombe have been very close to anything we have done all season, but now the results have to follow.”

Simpson reports no fresh injury concerns but is unlikely to risk midfielder Kevin McIntyre before he has a second reserve run-out against Walsall next week.

Mike Jackson is also absent while Town officials are still waiting news from FIFA over whether striker Omer Riza will be given the all-clear to play before the season is out.

It is understood FIFA are in talks with the Turkish FA over the striker’s on-going ban, and Simpson insists he would have no qualms over throwing Riza into action if permission is given.

By JAMES GARRISON