Skipper Graham Coughlan today paid tribute to retiring Shrewsbury Town defender Mike Jackson, declaring: “He’s a huge loss to the game.”

Jackson, 36, has been forced to hang up his boots due to a serious knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines since February last year.

The former Preston man formed a solid defensive partnership with Coughlan last season, and the 35-year-old club captain believes Town will feel his loss keenly.

“I’d not actually spoken to him about it, and the first I knew is when I saw it come up in the news yesterday,” Coughlan revealed.

“I knew it was a long-standing problem he’d had, and it’s a nightmare for any player to go through that – especially at his age.

“It’s a shame, he’s a big loss to Shrewsbury and a big loss to the game. He’s got a lot of experience and a wise head, we call him the old man.

“I’m no youngster myself and we must have had about 35 years in the game between us but, even at my age, he was someone I could learn from.”

Jackson will still be seen about the Prostar Stadium, having agreed to stay on board as a member of the coaching staff until the end of the season at least.

And Coughlan believes he must make the most of the opportunity as he looks to life after playing.

“Nothing beats preparing for a game and running out at 3pm on a Saturday and he will miss that,” added the Town skipper.

“But the gaffer (Paul Simpson) has been good to him in giving him the opportunity to stay in the game and progress his career.

“It’s bitter-sweet for him, because he has been forced to retire but it’s fallen nicely for him. It’s good to know that he’s going to be staying around.”