Simpson: We need strong minds

Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Simpson today called for "strong minds and bravery" as the countdown begins to the win-or-bust showdown at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Town face their biggest game since the 2007 play-off final this weekend when they head to East London for a 'play-off for the play-offs.'

Town must win at Victoria Road to extend their season, while Dagenham will book their place in the top seven with a win or a draw.

"This week is about being brave," said Simpson. "It's about brave people going down to a game that means everything and affects the whole season.

"It's about ones who want to stand up and be counted because it will need 11 strong people and 11 strong minds.

"I've been through them all. I've lost a semi-final of play-offs, I've won a final and lost a final and it's a nice way to go up if you can win a play-off final. So why shouldn't we go with the confidence and the belief that we have enough to get a result there?

"The players have shown on many occasions this season that they are good enough. It's about one game now. The other 45 and other cup games count for absolutely nothing.

"It's a one-off game so it is a cup final and cup finals are about the best players coming out and standing up and performing.

"I hope the good players we have got stand up next week and show they are the best players."

Simpson will also be hoping his options will be boosted by the return of midfielder Kevin McIntyre and forwards Omer Riza and Moses Ashikodi.

McIntyre may continue his rehabilitation from a broken leg in tomorrow's reserve game at Mansfield, while Riza and Ashikodi will be hoping to recover from hip and knee problems.

But one player who looks likely to miss the remainder of the season – however long it lasts – is defender Mike Jackson who has suffered a setback to his knee injury.

"Mike went for another scan on Saturday and is going to see a specialist today just to see how bad that is," added Simpson.

"But I think we can probably forget about Jacko until next season because he will not get much chance to get any games under his belt."

By JAMES GARRISON