Key midfielder Craig Disley today stepped up his Shrewsbury Town return – as captain Ian Sharps sought the all clear for this weekend’s trip to Barnet.

A hip injury has kept Disley out of action since the 4-0 romp over Hereford on November 20, Town’s last victory before the weather interruptions which have been followed by a four-game winless streak.

But the former Bristol Rovers man was pencilled in for a run-out in this afternoon’s Totesport League reserve team clash against Preston at Chorley.

“If everything goes to plan, we are hoping Craig will play about 70 minutes,” said Town boss Graham Turner.

“He is an experienced player who has got good ability and knows what the game is about in midfield.

“You will miss somebody of his calibre, but he’s not far off now and it will be a welcome situation when he is fully fit.”

Turner admitted this afternoon’s game — which he would have preferred to have been staged at Deepdale — represented an opportunity for fringe players to press their claims for a call-up following the recent stutter in results.

“When you have had the results like we have had recently, you are looking for some of the fringe players to come in with performances that say they have to be picked,” added the Town boss.

Meanwhile, Sharps was today hoping to receive the thumbs up to continue training after a suffering a mouth wound in Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Morecambe.

“Ian had five stitches in his mouth and a tooth knocked out at the front,” added Turner.

“He has a dental appointment today where they could put a titanium root in there so a cap can go on to it.

“It will depend on the opinion of the dentist whether he continues to train and play.

“But he has trained for the first two days of the week and, all being well, should be fit for Barnet.”

Town have, however, been hit by two fresh injury setbacks.

Right back David Raven is a doubt for Saturday after suffering a hip problem while winger Lionel Ainsworth limped out of training with an ankle knock.

By JAMES GARRISON