Experienced midfielder Paul Murray was today hailed as a “model professional” as he faces up to a rare battle to regain his first-team shirt at Shrewsbury Town.

When injuries have permitted, Murray has been a virtual ever-present at Shrewsbury since signing in the summer of 2008.

He has been restricted to the role of unused substitutes in Town’s last two outings which have brought away victories at Bradford and Chesterfield.

Simpson is full of admiration for the way Murray has cope with the disappointment of being left out.

“Before Christmas I said to Terry Dunfield and Paul Murray that they might have to sit one of the Christmas games out with us having to play on both December 26th and 28th,” said the Town boss.

“Terry was disappointed to miss out against his old club, Macclesfield, on Boxing Day and I’m quite sure Paul was disappointed to miss out on Bradford.

“With the team winning at Bradford and Chesterfield, Paul has had to bide his time a bit.

“But he has been fantastic for us and is still doing a good job even though he is not playing at the moment.

“He is good to have around the place and is saying all the right things. He is being a model professional and I’m sure he will have a big role to play in the rest of the season.”

Simpson, meanwhile, has confirmed he expects no imminent transfer activity – although he remains keen to make minor changes to his squad during the January window.

“Myself and the chairman had a meeting over the weekend with a player and his agent,” said the Town boss.

“I wouldn’t say it’s completely dead but it’s not going to happen at the moment.

“I have had a few phone calls about a couple of our players but nothing more yet.”

Town had hoped to bridge the two-week gap between games with a behind closed doors friendly against TNS this week, but those plans have been shelved as snow remains on the Astroturf at Park Hall.