Shropshire Star

Micky Mellon: Joe Riley Shrewsbury form no shock

Shrewsbury Town man of the moment Joe Riley has won praise from his manager and skipper ahead of a first return to his former home.

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The marauding full-back heads back to Gigg Lane with fond memories in the bank from his 18-month spell with the Shakers.

The 24-year-old has been a mainstay of Micky Mellon's team so far this season after linking up from Bury in the summer and has won a number of admirers.

He warmed up for another return to the north-west by netting the decisive goal at neighbouring Oldham last weekend.

Running on to a well-timed ball from Louis Dodds, Riley lashed a fierce drive beyond Connor Ripley at the shot-stopper's near post, before the custodian had time to react.

Riley netted just two goals during his year-and-a-half at Gigg Lane and one would imagine he is relishing the prospect of matching that tally this term on his old stomping ground.

Both Mellon, and Salop skipper Adam El-Abd – who played alongside the former Bolton prodigy during a six-month spell at Bury – sang the praises of the defender ahead of the crunch League One clash.

"He's cracked it," admitted Mellon when reminiscing on his fine strike.

"Joe's got a fantastic technique and it's something that we knew before we brought him here, so it's good to see that happening for him.

"He's very good and we're really happy with him.

"He's getting better and better as he settles in. I'm sure the fans are very happy with him, as we certainly are.

"There's still development with him as he's still young and he's an exciting player to have at the club."

El-Abd checked into a loan spell with Bury two years ago in November.

Riley was to join up with David Flitcroft's charges two months later and the pair combined to propel the Shakers – along with Salop – into League One.

"I'm not at all surprised by how well he's done," the Shrewsbury captain added.

"I was there in November, he had a massive impact at Bury, just like he is doing here. It's nice to have players and characters like that as a team-mate."

Riley and El-Abd will not be the only members of the Salop squad reacquainting with old friends in the north-west.

Mellon worked under his opposite number Flitcroft during a Championship stint with Barnsley.

The duo spent a year working closely together at the Tykes and the pair enjoyed memorable success in saving Barnsley's second-tier status on the final day of the 2012/13 campaign.

Upon his sacking during the following season, Flitcroft heaped the praise on then-caretaker boss Mellon, even tipping him for the Oakwell hotseat.

"He has an incredible and insatiable appetite for football and I couldn't think of a better person to keep the team in the league," said Flitcroft at the time.

The Salop chief was keen in his turn to praise the man he will be battling with tomorrow.

"It's great to share the dugout with somebody that you get on with, he's one of my best mates in football," said Mellon.

"It'll be an eagerly contested result that we both want to get, done in the right spirit.

"We both want to get one over each other – that's what friends do!"

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