Boss Paul Simpson has urged fans to give Shrewsbury Town’s rising young stars a chance – after more frustration in his bid to strengthen his threadbare squad.

Simpson has made no secret of his desire to bring fresh faces to the Prostar Stadium, having seen his squad reduced by injuries to just 18 fit bodies.

But his latest efforts to bring in a Premier League player have hit the buffers and he insists he will stick by his young guns until the right players materialise.

His own son Jake made his debut on the right wing against Bradford on Saturday, while first year pro Andre Gray is another who has been involved far more than he might have expected.

“We tried to get a lad in but the Premier League club he’s at wanted to keep him for the Carling Cup,” Simpson revealed. “The Carling Cup is a good nurturing ground for players and I will keep my eye on that one and see who goes out in the next round.

“I’m constantly looking to try and improve the squad but it’s got to be the right ones for us, and until then we will go on with what we’ve got.

“I just hope people will be patient and give the young lads the chance to try and develop into what we want them to be.”

Meanwhile, Simpson reported mixed news on the injury front – with midfielder Terry Dunfield and Glyn Garner both set for surgery on shoulder injuries.

Dunfield is on course to return in eight to 10 weeks, while Garner is due to see a specialist today.

There is a positive update on goalkeeper Chris Neal and midfielder Craig Disley as well, with both having started taking tentative steps back to training.

“They’ve both started doing some running work,” said Simpson. “We’re hoping they’ll be fit within the next couple of weeks.”

Centre-back Mike Jackson is waiting to discover from a specialist if the bone bruising on his knee has disappeared in order to allow him to start working towards a return.

New Zealand striker Kris Bright is a doubt for Saturday’s home game with Crewe Alexandra after rolling his ankle in the reserves’ 3-0 victory at West Brom on Monday evening.