Anthony Gerrard urges Shrews to seal Leutwiler deal

Leutwiler is likely to be one of the most in-demand of the 17 players out of contract next summer.

Town boss Micky Mellon has said contract talks are on hold until Salop achieve League One safety.

But Gerrard, whose own future is up in the air with his 'free' deal up for review next month, believes the Swiss shot-stopper will attract interest.

"He's a presence – he's six foot four or five, his agility is fantastic and his distribution is good, so as long as he keeps his current level of performance up there should be a host of teams looking at him," said the 29-year defender. "Hopefully for Shrewsbury they put a deal under his nose in January to keep him here.

"But it's all about timing. Hopefully my timing will be good in January and we can keep the nucleus of the team together."

Gerrard believes Town had Leutwiler to thank for his saves at the weekend when they held second-placed Gillingham to a 2-2 draw at the Greenhous Meadow.

"After we scored we sat deep and we didn't get out of the box. The clearances weren't as good as they should be and we had Jayson to thank for a couple of fine saves," he said.

"After the fantastic saves he made, plus the one he made in the second half as well, he can be proud."

Meanwhile, Gerrard also believes wingers Larnell Cole and Sullay Kaikai are learning all the time as they continue to get regular games in League One as opposed to under-21 football.

"Football's a team game and we've had 'Larney' and Sullay running their socks off for us – you don't get those sort of games in under-21 football," he said. "It's about developing and showing the ugly side as well as ghosting past people.

"Those two are showing what they were about, as everyone has done, which only bodes for positive things."