Winger Lewis Neal is on course to step up his return from injury with a Shrewsbury Town reserve team outing before the end of the month.

The luckless 28-year-old has been left kicking his heels for the start of the League Two season after suffering an ankle injury in the final pre-season friendly at Tranmere.

Initial fears were that Neal could be sidelined for up to six weeks, but manager Paul Simpson is hopeful that schedule will be brought forward.

And the first second string match against Derby, at the Prostar Stadium on Wednesday, August 25, has emerged as a target for the former Preston and Carlisle man.

“Yesterday was the first day that Lewis was able to do some running out on the training pitch,” said the Town boss.

“There is a possibility he will play in the reserve game against Derby.

“He is coming along very well and we just have to keep managing the injury well now.”

Should Neal complete his rehabilitation in the next fortnight, long-term victim Michael Jackson would be the only player on the Town treatment table.

Meanwhile, Simpson has praised his squad for filling the goal void created by the summer exits of Grant Holt and Ben Davies during the first week of the season.

The departed duo accounted for 42 of Town’s goals last term, but Simpson’s men have already scored six times in two games against Burton and Ipswich.

“We have lost two big players in terms of goals but the fact that we have found the net regularly in the first two games is very pleasing,” added Simpson.

“Before the start of the season, I said that I wanted a better spread of goals from across the team and that is happening so far.

“I want all the strikers and the midfielders chipping in with regular goals and hopefully we can continue as we have started.”