Shrewsbury Town will have a new duo at the helm for tomorrow’s season-ending League Two Staffordshire-Shropshire derby at Port Vale.

Former defender Mike Jackson, who has been involved with the coaching at the Prostar Stadium since injury forced his retirement in January, and Head of Youth Dave Hughes will be in charge for the trip to Port Vale.

The pair aided caretaker manager Stuart Delaney with team affairs for last week’s 3-2 defeat at Morecambe.

And, while there was no official comment emerging from the club today, it is thought Delaney and goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins have left or are on the brink of leaving.

Former Preston and Blackpool defender Jackson has revealed he would be keen to play some role in Shrewsbury’s future as the hunt to find Paul Simpson’s successor continues.

“I would like to be at this club in some capacity,” said the 35-year-old.

“I know the club, know the players and know what’s needed and I feel I have something to offer.

“But that is up to the chairman. The only remit myself and Dave have is to prepare the players for tomorrow’s game.”

The derby encounter could have huge consequences for Port Vale who must win to have any chance of climbing the two places they require to snatch a play-off spot.

But Jackson insists he and Hughes are only focussing on his side’s preparation and performance.

“Myself, Dave and the players have a job to do and we are going there to win the game,” he added.

“We want to do ourselves justice.”

Jackson is also aware a host of his squad will be playing for their futures with leading scorer Dave Hibbert, captain Graham Coughlan, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff and Kevin McIntyre amongst a sizeable Town contingent out of contract this summer.

It is unclear whether Hibbert will have recovered from an Achilles problem in time to be fit to visit his former club.

Should he not make it, it could pave the way for young striker Tom Bradshaw – one of the youth players rumoured to be close to signing professional terms with Town – to make his first start.

Reports in the national media have suggested the 17-year-old is being watched by West Ham.

By James Garrison