Loan ranger Jamie Devitt looks set to declare himself fit for Shrewsbury Town’s local derby at Hereford tonight.

Midfielder Devitt missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bury with a sore knee, but returned to training yesterday and should be available for the trip to Edgar Street.

The 19-year-old’s loan from Hull is due to end after tonight’s game, while it is a similar story for striker Waide Fairhurst and his temporary switch from Doncaster.

But manager Paul Simpson is fully expecting both to be extended until the start of January.

Midfielder Craig Disley has also returned to training – but tonight’s game will come too soon for the former Bristol Rovers man, while Lewis Neal and Jake Simpson are both still sidelined.

Meanwhile, boss Simpson has vowed his side will be positive at Hereford as they attempt to cement their position in the play-offs.

“It’s a local derby and they have got some good individual players,” said the Town boss.

“I think it’s fair to say it has taken them a while to settle back into League Two and they have changed around the squad and manager.

“But it’s going to be a tough game. We want to go to Hereford and be really positive.

“We need to try and do everything we can to get back to keeping clean sheets because, if we can do that, I’m quite sure we can cause problems at the other end.

“We are five points off automatic promotion and we don’t want that gap to get any bigger.

“We don’t play a league game for another seven days after tonight (due to the FA Cup defeat against Staines) so it’s important we go there and get a good result.”

Tonight’s game is all ticket for both sets of supporters, with Shrewsbury selling out their allocation of just under 700.

• Shrewsbury reserves are in action tomorrow afternoon when they tackle Sheffield United at the Prostar Stadium (2pm).

By JAMES GARRISON