Midfielder Sean McAllister today set his sights on re-appearing on Shrewsbury Town’s first team radar by hitting the ground running in pre-season.

The former Sheffield Wednesday ball-player was a first XI regular at the start of last term but couldn’t force his way back into the reckoning after a hernia operation at the turn of the year.

He failed to feature after the goalless draw against Chesterfield on January 20, but the return to Wolves of loan ace David Davis and the departures of Craig Disley and Kevin McIntyre have given McAllister a fresh chance to catch the eye.

And, while boss Graham Turner is on the look-out for new midfielders, the 23-year-old is determined to have a strong pre-season to put himself in contention for a starting role in the League Two opener against Plymouth on August 6.

“It’s a big season for me and I’m looking forward to it,” said McAllister, in the second and final year of his contract.

“I felt I did pretty well at the start of last season but after I had my operation, the lads were performing and I couldn’t get back in.

“I’m getting a good pre-season under my belt which is more than last year because I only arrived a week before the season started.

“There is an opportunity in midfield so hopefully I can re-discover the form from the start of last season, produce some good performances in pre-season and make myself un-droppable.”

McAllister, who was part of a squad playing a behind closed doors friendly at Tranmere today, is excited about the prospect of the Town’s pre-season match programme getting underway.

“It’s good to see the games coming along,” he added.

“We have got Manchester United on Sunday and they don’t sign any old player so whoever they put out will have a bit of class.

“It’s a game to look forward to and hopefully we can pick up some good results because it does help to carry the momentum into the start of the season.

“We had a good pre-season last year and then the real thing started well on the back of it so we want more of the same.”

By JAMES GARRISON