Shrewsbury Town defender Mike Jackson today spoke of the injury frustration which has left him facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines as the big kick-off approaches.

A re-ocurrence of the knee injury which forced Jackson to miss the end of last season has ruled the 35-year-old defender out of the opening to the new campaign.

Bone bruising has forced Jackson to withdraw from any “weight bearing” training – and has left the defender facing  battle to be fit within a month of the season starting.

“It’s not been good at all and it’s been such a disappointment,” said the former Blackpool defender.

“I went to Lilleshall at the end of last season and came away feeling strong. On the fitness tests on the first morning back I did really well but then the knee just went.

“I had a scan about three weeks ago and I was told I had to do a total shutdown for six weeks.

“There are times when I’m still getting some aching so I just have to wait for that to go away and then try and step the fitness back up.

“I’ll have to see how it goes over the next three or four weeks but it’s important make sure I don’t come back too early and have another setback.That would be no good to me, the rest of the lads or the gaffer.”

While Jackson is suffering frustration on the field, he has been given an opportunity to make some early steps on the coaching ladder.

“The gaffer asked me in the summer if I wanted to get involved with aspects of the coaching side of things and warm-ups and going out to watch a few games,” he added.

“It’s no secret that’s a route I want to go down in the future and I’ve put things into place over the last six or seven years by doing courses and badges and the gaffer has been brilliant.”

Manager Paul Simpson, who continues to search for new signings, was hoping to welcome captain Graham Coughlan and goalkeeper Chris Neal back into training today with a view to them featuring in Saturday’s final friendly at Tranmere.

By JAMES GARRRISON