Mark Ellis is upping the volume for Shrewsbury

The 26-year-old is enjoying a fine run of form since his recall to the starting XI last month.

Town have kept six clean sheets in seven games and Ellis believes communication has played a key part.

"It's crucial for me, especially on a Saturday, with Connor (Goldson) in the middle of us or with Jermaine (Grandison) or Natty (Nathaniel Knight-Percival) it is vital you communicate with each other," he said.

"I'm glad to be back in and getting a good run of games. Hopefully I can stay in now for the rest of the season.

"We have a good squad but team selection is what the manager gets paid to do, he has to make these decisions."

Ellis had been out of favour for more than a month before making his return in the 0-0 draw at Cambridge.

Town have kept 18 clean sheets already this season and he added: "It would be nice if I had played in every single one – but I haven't.

"It is credit to all the lads, it is a team game and you can't knock it.

"As long as we keep scoring goals, we will win games."

While Town's defence has been tight, the goals had not flowed in the manner boss Micky Mellon would have liked prior to last week's 3-0 win over Hartlepool.

Ellis believes staying patient when trying to break teams down is a skill they may need to perfect, particularly at home.

"We are going to need patience for the rest of the season," added Ellis. "Teams will come here, sit back and defend. We have to be patient, we might not score in the first 15 or 20 minutes and it might take till later on in the second half until it comes."

"When the first goal goes in it gives you a massive boost and you just want to go and score more goals.

"As long as we keep winning our home games and picking up points away from home we will do well."

Ellis also expects loan signings Connor Randall and Keith Southern to provide further quality in Town's squad.

They are both good lads," he said. "I have not seen too much of them to be fair but I'm sure they will fit in well.

"Connor will learn and Keith will come in and add experience. I'm sure he will put his opinion across to the lads."

Town were today set to welcome Stevenage to the Greenhous Meadow.

Graham Westley's side arrived in Shropshire on the back of a six-game unbeaten run that had seen them climb into the play-off positions.