Shrewsbury Town today began their preparations for the new League Two campaign in earnest – with boss Graham Turner confident new recruits are just around the corner.

Turner met his squad in full for the first time this morning on their return to pre-season training.

And he is positive negotiations with potential targets will soon yield more new faces to join summer signing Ian Sharps.

“There is a possibility before the end of this week, and certainly by early next week, there could be one or two in,” said Turner.

“We have spent a lot of time on telephone calls and checking different players and I think we are getting closer to fruition.

“I want to make sure it’s done and dusted before announcing things, but we are close to getting one or two players in.”

Steeper

Turner revealed his squad will face a varied pre-season programme, which will incorporate home friendlies against Tranmere and Coventry as well as Town competing in the Joma South West Challenge Cup in Devon for the first time.

“The training ground looks in good condition and we have sorted runs out,” added the Town boss.

“There are some great runs up Haughmond Hill we can go on and then maybe we will find one or two steeper climbs for them to endure before the first pre-season game comes round.

“The tournament in Devon is something for us to look forward to and the whole idea of pre-season is to get people fit for August 7 (the first League game at home to Bradford City).

“We are not killing them in the first few days — that’s a stupid outlook.

“It is a schedule they will enjoy. It will be a lot of hard work but there will be plenty of variety and by the end of it they should all be fit.

“The balls will be out straight away. We will do some track work on Thursday and hill work on Friday.”

By JAMES GARRISON