Paul Sturrock is refusing to be drawn on his interest in becoming Shrewsbury Town’s next boss – but confirmed he is keen to return to management.

The 53-year-old’s name has been linked with the vacant post since Paul Simpson’s departure.

Sturrock is available after leaving a business support role at Plymouth two weeks ago.

“I don’t discuss speculation,” Sturrock told StarSport when contacted over his potential interest in succeeding Simpson. “I am looking to get back into management.”

Sturrock has an impressive record in the lower Leagues, despite revealing in 2008 he was suffering from a mild form of Parkinson’s disease.

Having begun his managerial career with St Johnstone and Dundee United, he moved to Plymouth where he guided Argyle to back-to-back promotions to what is now the Championship.

A spell in charge of then Premiership side Southampton lasted just five months, but he has since helped Sheffield Wednesday to promotion to the Championship, as well as elevating Swindon to League One.

Sturrock returned to Plymouth in 2008 but was removed as manager last December and moved into a business support role as Paul Mariner took control.

His past backroom team also have Town links with long-term assistant Kevin Summerfield making 166 starts for the club in the 90s.

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Town captain Graham Coughlan has also played under Sturrock at Plymouth.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Dave Button and striker Jamie Cureton will both miss Saturday’s season-ending trip to Port Vale after returning to their parent clubs, Spurs and Norwich.

Button was on the bench in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Morecambe as Chris Neal started, while Cureton was left out of the squad.

On Cureton, caretaker manager Stuart Delaney said: “I made a decision after speaking to Jamie on Friday.

“I wanted to try and give Tom Bradshaw the best possible opportunity of developing his career here.

“To do that, it was a case of saying to Jamie not to come in for the rest of the season.”

By James Garrison