Shrewsbury Town manager Graham Turner was today continuing the frantic round of negotiations he hopes will yield up to four more new signings.

Turner and his staff continue to work around the clock to add reinforcements to a squad depleted by eight summer departures.

The Greenhous Meadow chief was this morning hopeful he was closing in on one deal, and had not ruled out completing his third summer signing later today.

Central defender Ian Sharps has already joined on a permanent deal from Rotherham, while left back Mat Sadler has signed on six-month loan from Watford.

“There is a possibility later today we may have brought one more in but we will have to see,” said Turner.

“You have to be patient with these things because they always seem to take time, but there are a lot of good players out there who are not yet fixed up.

Progress

“We are speaking to players all the time and we are making progress.”

Turner added he has been encouraged by his squad’s work ethic in the opening week of pre-season training.

“There has been good response,” he said.

“It has highlighted we are short in some areas but they have had a good attitude, been full of enthusiasm and that has been good to see.”

Shrewsbury have their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday when they face Premier League opposition in the shape of Birmingham City.

The behind closed doors friendly will take place at the Blues’ training ground, and will provide match practice ahead of the Joma South West Challenge Cup in Devon which begins the following Monday.

“It’s a great set-up there and it will give us the chance to put into practice what we have been working on,” Turner added.

By JAMES GARRISON