James Wesolowski in Shrewsbury comeback
Midfielder James Wesolowski has completed his Shrewsbury Town comeback – and has targeted a first-team return within two weeks.
The Aussie played a planned 30 minutes for the reserves in yesterday's 1-0 defeat against Bradford at Shrewsbury Sports Village, after six months out with a ruptured cruciate ligament.
The 28-year-old said: "The knee felt good and it felt good to be back playing again. Thirty minutes is what we planned for and it all went well.
"Before the game you get those nerves because you don't know exactly how it's going to go. But once you get back into the rhythm, you start to forget about the injury.
"There were a few clashes but it felt fine, so it gives you that boost ready to go for the next game.
"It was a tiny bit stiff afterwards but that's to be expected and hopefully that will go away and the leg will become stronger.
"There are two reserve games over the next couple of weeks, so in the Port Vale one I'll be looking to get 60 minutes and then Bradford away I'll be looking to push for the 90.
"Once I get to that point I'll be looking for first-team selection – I'm only a couple of weeks away from that.
"I'm looking forward to getting back out there and helping the team."
Wesolowski, who has been working under the guidance of physio Chris Skitt, has ruptured the same cruciate ligament twice in 10 months and feels the knee is virtually the same as it did before.
He said: "It feels similar. Last time it was as strong as it could possibly be until that unlucky incident.
"But everything's gone to plan – better than we'd set out – so everything is positive. The rehab has been perfect."
Wesolowski is out of contract this summer and admits he must prove his fitness to win a new deal.
He said: "Nothing's been said about that, I've got to prove my fitness first before that's discussed. At the moment, I'm just focused on playing again and to be fit as soon as possible."
Bradford winger Mark Marshall scored the only goal in the 65th minute, cutting in from the left wing and rifling a low drive that beat goalkeeper Callum Burton at his near post.
Both Wesolowski and Sumaili Cissa had shots blocked for their respective sides before Town threatened first in the 18th minute.
Callum Grogan's ball over the top put Ethan Jones clean through, but the striker lobbed his effort over.
Marshall hit the post two minutes before the break with a curling free-kick from 20 yards after Joel Carta brought down Daniel Devine as he tried to go round him.
Just after the interval Ethan Jones flashed a rising effort over, and the Bantams made them pay for the miss with Marshall's strike.
Bradford were the dominant side after that and Burton denied experienced winger Paul Anderson after Cissa's shot rebounded into his path.
Shrewsbury Town (3-4-1-2): Burton; Grogan, Bonner, Demetriou; M Jones (Sears 79), Carta (Hassall 52), Wesolowski (Rammell 30), Millis (Roberts 66); Gallagher; E Jones, Wilson (Hughes 52).
