Joe Jacobson to battle for his Shrewsbury Town shirt

The 25-year-old was a virtual ever-present in his first campaign at the Greenhous Meadow, making 43 starts in all competitions and playing a role in gaining promotion following his transfer from Accrington.

He has been dislodged from his left-back slot by Rob Purdie for the opening two League games of this season, but boss Graham Turner is confident Jacobson will rise to the challenge of trying to win back the shirt.

“I’ve had a chat to Joe about the situation,” he said.

“He knows what he has to do and I’m sure his attitude will be first class.

“Rob Purdie did well in the pre-season programme.

“ I would have picked the back four (playing now) for the opening day had everybody been fit but Darren Jones didn’t quite make it.

“I reverted to it after the Leeds match. In particular, Rob Purdie had a very good night on Tuesday.

“He has proved he is a decent full-back so that’s a sign of the strength in depth.”

Meanwhile, Turner has revealed on-loan defender Michael Hector has gone ‘back to basics’ after his shaky debut at Leeds.

The 20-year-old, on a temporary move from Reading, conceded a penalty and was at fault for another goal.

But he has bounced back with impressive displays against Sheffield United and Preston.

“The pace of the thing at Leeds caught Michael by surprise,” said Turner.

“It’s probably the biggest game he has played in.

“We’ve worked at him and watched different clips of matches and he is sensible enough to have responded what we’ve looked at.

“In the pre-season games when the pace wasn’t quite so great, he had time to get the ball down and pass it.

“Suddenly at Leeds the pace of the game was far quicker so it’s getting a base to his game which, first and foremost, makes sure he defends well.

“Then the rest, in terms of getting the ball down, will come.”