Shrewsbury Town sharp-shooter Dave Hibbert is on course to return for Saturday’s must-win League Two clash with bottom club Darlington.

The 14-goal leading scorer has missed the last two games with a groin problem and was originally expected to be sidelined for a month.

But that process appears to have been speeded up dramatically by a trip to London consultant Ronan McCarthy, who also successfully treated Hibbert last summer.

“I trained yesterday and didn’t have any reaction so it’s looking good at the moment,” said Hibbert, who is out of contract at the end of the season.”I’m dying to get back out there and hopefully I will be available for Saturday.

“When it first happened, I was looking for a comeback game and I was thinking Crewe (on April 10).

“The scan showed a grade two tear which isn’t good news.

“But Ronan has done a brilliant job again and I’m hoping it’s going to be two weeks quicker than expected.”

Hibbert’s return would certainly be welcome, with Town’s promotion challenge faltering following a run of three successive defeats without scoring a goal.

And the top scorer will return with the twin aim of helping fire Shrewsbury into the play-offs and end his own run of eight games without a goal.

“We know we need to pull our finger out and make sure we are in the top seven, and that starts on Saturday,” added Hibbert.

“It’s disappointing not to have scored for a while but it seems like when one goal comes, they seem to come in clumps.It’s the same for Jamie (Cureton) so once we both get one, I’m sure more will follow.”

Town dropped to 10th place in the table last night, Saturday’s conquerers Aldershot leapfrogging above them as a result of their 2-1 win at Darlington.

It could have been worse, but Accrington Stanley – another side who could have moved above them – lost 2-0 at home to Burton Albion.

The Brewers are also now in contention, with teams as far down as Morecambe in 14th still in with a realistic chance of challenging.”

By JAMES GARRISON