Manager Paul Simpson today braced his Shrewsbury Town players for a decisive quartet of games he believes will shape their promotion destiny.

A run of one defeat in eight games since Christmas has seen Town climb to fifth in League Two and rekindled their dreams of success.

Many of their top-of-the-table rivals still have games in hand, but Simpson believes Town will know what their realistic targets are after the next fortnight.

Shrewsbury begin that critical spell with a home local derby at Hereford on Saturday before facing three games against fellow promotion hopefuls – Bury, a televised game with Rotherham (both away) and then Bournemouth at the Prostar Stadium.

“At the end of these next four games we will know whether we can be looking at a top three spot, the play-offs or just finishing the season with a whimper,” said the Town boss.

“The last one is what we have to make sure we avoid.

“We want to go out with a bang, and give it everything we have got because our aim is still the same as it was at the start of this season – to get out of this League.

“We have got a testing period, but, if we can carry on as we are, we won’t go too far wrong.

“If we can carry on getting our results then everything else will take care of itself.

“The other teams have games in hand, but a lot of them are against each other so they can’t all keep winning.”

While delighted with his side’s recent progress, Simpson is continuing his attempts to bolster his squad with loan recruits for the run-in.

Experienced Norwich forward Jamie Cureton is still being linked with Town.

And reports from Holland suggest winger Benjamin van den Broek – who is available after club HFC Haarlem went bust last month – is another player Simpson is tracking.

By JAMES GARRISON