On-loan defender Mat Sadler has hailed the return of ‘the real Shrewsbury Town’ – and insisted the players still have their sights on winning the League Two title.

On the day winger Lewis Neal left the Greenhous Meadow, Sadler believes Shrewsbury have now fully recovered from the five-game winless streak over Christmas.

Saturday’s entertaining goalless draw with table-topping Chesterfield extended Town’s unbeaten run to three games ahead of an away double header at Oxford tomorrow and the televised trip to Bury on Friday.

Fourth placed Shrewsbury are now just two points off a top three spot.

But Sadler is looking beyond an automatic promotion spot and believes Town can reel in the 10-point advantage Chesterfield have opened up to claim the title.

“We are not here to be in second or third place,” said Sadler, who will remain on loan from Watford until the end of the season.

“We are here to be promoted and promoted as champions. That is what I’m looking at and I’m sure all the other lads are the same.

“We feel there is a turn in the wind. There is a bit of belief back and a good team spirit.

“We feel we are getting back to where we need to be and we are only a win away from the automatic.

“It would have been nice to get the three points on Saturday but we worked our socks off, created chances, got a clean sheet and we go to Oxford tomorrow night three unbeaten and with confidence.

“We are at the nitty gritty point of the season and we are in a good position.

“In my opinion, I think it was the two best teams in the division on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Neal’s 18 month stint at Shrewsbury has been ended after the 29-year-old reached an agreement with Town over the remainder of his contract.

Neal, who has not featured in the League since the 1-0 defeat at Port Vale in September, was signed by former boss Paul Simpson and scored twice in 25 games and 11 substitute appearances.

By JAMES GARRISON