'He brings quality': Michael Appleton on why Josh Ruffels can have big Shrewsbury Town impact
Michael Appleton believes Josh Ruffels' quality and versatility is going to be huge for Shrewsbury Town - as they look to climb away from the League Two drop zone.
Salop managed to secure the capture of the former Huddersfield Town and Oxford United man last month - after holding a long term interest in the 31-year-old.
Ruffels, who worked with Appleton during their time at the Kassam Stadium and made over 300 appearances for The U's, had been training with Salop as well as other clubs before a deal was struck.
He made his first start in central midfield in the recent FA Cup win over South Shields, before scoring on his first league start as Salop were beaten at Crewe.
Appleton has explained how Ruffels was also going to be a 'low risk signing' for Salop - and why his versatility is going to be massive as his side look to move away from the drop zone.
The defeat at Crewe saw Town slip back into the League Two bottom two - ahead of a huge clash against basement side Newport County on Saturday.
Appleton explained: "He brings quality, he brings experience, he's got a level head and there's a calmness
"He brings versatility, he can play left-side centre-half, wing-back, obviously he can play midfield.
"He just brings basically a lot of quality to the group and I think his fitness levels are getting better.
"It was such a low-risk scenario for me.
"There's certain players out there who would be more higher risk of me bringing him in, even though I've worked with them prior.
"Josh is one of those low-maintenance players who everyone respects, everyone knows what he brings to the party, comes in, does his work, has his little bit of banter with the players and goes home.
"He's just one of those players like, you know, very rarely do you have any situations."
Ruffels' signing has added competition for places in a number of areas of Salop's small squad, given the fact he can play in a host of different positions.
And Appleton explained that despite having a small squad at his disposal, there is a competition for places in the squad now which wasn't there earlier in the season.
He said: "Training's been feisty, which is good.
"Like it's been just the right side of it. There's an element of competition now, which I feel might not have been there in the earlier part of the season.
"But there's definitely an intensity about the training where there's a competitiveness about it."