Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Chris Neal has been backed to become an established No 1 at League Two level – as Graham Turner’s side prepare to kick off their Joma South West Challenge Cup campaign.

Neal made just 10 senior appearances in an injury-hit first season at the Greenhous Meadow which also saw him having to play second fiddle to loanee David Button for a time.

The 24-year-old has made just 17 senior appearances in his career after also having a long spell at No 2 at Preston before his move to Shrewsbury last summer.

But newly-recruited goalkeeping coach Paul Gerrard is confident Neal can prove his ability in the new League Two campaign.

“Chris is looking really sharp and I think he can easily perform at this level and make a difference in the side,” said former Premier League goalkeeper Gerrard.

“When I was still playing I trained with Preston for about a month to six weeks and Chris was there.

“He trained well then and had a great attitude and that’s still the case now.

“It’s just a case of him building up his confidence which he will when he gets a couple of games under his belt.”

Progress

The first public chance for that in this pre-season comes tonight when Shrewsbury face Ilfracombe, who will have home advantage in the north Devon-based tournament.

It is the first of two group games for Turner’s men, with an encounter with Rushden & Diamonds to follow on Thursday.

The four group winners of the tournament, which also also includes the likes of Blackpool, Doncaster and Kilmarnock, will progress to the semi-finals on Saturday. The final is on Sunday.

Shrewsbury are expected to give run-outs to their new signings, defenders Ian Sharps, Mat Sadler and David Raven, winger Mark Wright and striker Matt Harrold.

Dean Holden and Tom Bradshaw have both travelled south but will have to overcome thigh problems if they hope to start tonight’s opener.

By JAMES GARRISON