Shrewsbury manager Paul Simpson has hailed revitalised forward Dave Hibbert — and put his blistering start to the season down to “changing everything about the way he lives.”

Hibbert notched his sixth goal of the season by bagging the opener in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Crewe at the Prostar Stadium.

It is a remarkable start for the striker who has been dogged by injuries since arriving from Preston in 2007, and wouldn’t have started the season had Kris Bright’s international clearance arrived in time for the opening game.

But Simpson is thrilled to see Hibbert grab his chance during the first month of the campaign.

“Dave Hibbert has delighted me with what he has done and I’m delighted for him because he has had a real tough time,” said the Town boss.

“In my time at the club, I don’t think he has had a month where he has always been fit – he has always taken a bang or played in games and got injured.

“Every time he had the opportunity, something has set him back but he has worked extremely hard to get himself fit and he has changed everything about the way he is living his life.

“He has changed his diet, lost about three or four kilos in weight and two per cent in body fat. His performances are showing that and hopefully he will carry on.”

Only Dagenham forward Paul Benson and Lee Hughes, of Notts County, are ahead of Hibbert in the League Two scoring charts.

And Simpson believes the 23-year-old has the perfect opportunity to produce the best season of his professional career.

“He has give himself a great start,” added Simpson. “I was having a go the other day saying he should be top of the goalscoring charts because he should have taken a penalty.

“But he’s close to the top and for a centre forward, that is a massive thing.”

Meanwhile, Town are hoping winger Lewis Neal will be fit for next week’s trip to Lincoln after failing a late fitness test on a minor groin problem on Saturday morning.

“We felt if he played Saturday, there was a possibility he may have been out for two or three weeks,” said Simpson.

“Hopefully by missing the Crewe game, he will be able to train in the middle to end of this week and be available next weekend.”

By JAMES GARRISON