Striker Grant Holt looks set to step up his Shrewsbury Town comeback by leading the line in tomorrow’s Shropshire Senior Cup final against AFC Telford United.

The £170,000 club record signing underwent ankle surgery during the close season but he has responded well and his rehabilitation is ahead of schedule.

Boss Paul Simpson will delay making a final decision until tomorrow, but is hopeful of getting at least a half out of last season’s top goalscorer.

“At this moment it looks like Grant is going to be available and we just need to see how he comes through training,” said Simpson.

“He came through yesterday without any reaction and if it is the same again then I think he will play. He needs to start building it up now and, with a bit of luck, we can get at least 45 minutes out of him and maybe a little more.”

Tomorrow’s final has been carried over from last summer, when the competition was disrupted by heavy rain.

The two sides are due to meet again in the autumn for the 2009 edition, but Simpson insists Shrewsbury will treat the contest as another pre-season friendly.

It will be the first meeting between the sides since 2006, when Shrewsbury won on penalties at the New Bucks Head.

“I’ve had quite a number of conversations with Larry Chambers (the Telford No 2) and my relationship with them is good,” added Simpson.

“I’ve only seen them play the once and I could see they’re a good footballing side with a lot of Football League experience.

“I’m not being disrespectful to them when I say this game is not a priority for me, because my focus is one the first game of the season with Burton Albion on August 8.”

Shrewsbury will be without the suspended Steve Leslie, and Simpson is doubly frustrated by that because the young midfielder will still sit out the first two games of next season.

“He has to miss tomorrow but we’ve been told it doesn’t count towards the league season,” he confirmed.

“Steve will also be suspended for the Burton game and Ipswich in the Carling Cup.”

By CHRIS HUDSON