Shrewsbury Town have right mix to go up - Ian Sharps

Shrewsbury Town skipper Ian Sharps believes the side's winning mentality could prove the deciding factor in the bid for promotion.

Four successive wins have propelled Town into second spot in npower League Two and Sharps is confident that previous promotion experience of a number of key players could be the crucial during the run-in.

The 30-year-old, who has been involved in play-off defeats at both Rotherham and Tranmere during his career, said Graham Turner's men have the perfect blend of youth and experience heading into the final third of the campaign.

He said: "I think we have a lot of experience here in that a number of the players have been in promotion-winning teams.

"I'm very proud to be captain of this side at the moment. We're in very good form at the moment and hopefully the postponement wont do us any harm because last time we struggled to get going again.

"The likes of Mark Wright, Matt Harrold, Craig Disley and Nicky Wroe - they've all been in promotion winning sides before.

"It's good to have that experience around the dressing room even if the age perhaps doesn't show it.

"I think the last 15 games everyone is going to be playing for something. Especially in this league because it's so tight. Whether it be for promotion to get in the play-offs or avoiding relegation everyone will have something to play for so all the games will be tough."

Meanwhile Sharps revealed he is playing through the pain barrier with a knee injury picked up in the 5-1 win at Lincoln City.

He said: "After the Lincoln game my knee was stiff and it caused a few problems but it's not too bad.

"I don't like missing training never mind missing matches but me and the physio have come to an arrangement that suits both of us and it's definitely manageable at the moment.

"At the moment not only am I playing to be getting a win for the team I'm also playing for my place because the squad we've got at the moment - whoever plays in the 25 is good enough."

By Alex James