Jack Grimmer: Dominic Smith's the man to help Shrewsbury cope

Smith is in the frame to replace captain Nathaniel Knight-Percival at the heart of the defence in Saturday's visit of high-flying Wigan.

Knight-Percival is set to receive a three-match ban for his sending off in Friday's 1-1 draw against Port Vale, while on-loan Latics defender Jack Hendry is ineligible to play against his parent club and Zak Whitbread is still out injured.

Smith is currently away with the Wales Under-21 squad, and, after being an unused substitute in their 0-0 draw away to Bulgaria in a UEFA Championship Under-21 qualifier on Friday, he is hoping for his first cap in tonight's trip to Romania in Gaz Metan, Medias.

Team-mate Jack Grimmer believes Smith can emulate Goldson, who won a big-money move from Town to Brighton in August.

"Dom's massively important for us. It was really important and great news for the club that he signed his new deal," said Grimmer.

"He must see players like Connor Goldson who he's like a carbon copy of – great defender, good on the ball – and know that his future is bright.

"Playing next to him, I think he's a great player with a bright future.

"With the way things went with Nat against Port Vale, it's important we get him back. Jack Hendry being ineligible is another kick in the teeth. When a number of players in one position are unavailable, there's nothing you can do. But we'll cope and hopefully extend our unbeaten run against Wigan."

The point against Vale extended Shrewsbury's unbeaten run to nine games – the longest since matching it in April 2012 – and they are eight points clear of the drop zone with eight games left.

Grimmer admits seeing Town in trouble when he signed was something of a shock.

He said. "With the management and the players here I was always shocked they didn't pick up the results they should have.

"I didn't expect us to go nine games unbeaten but I did expect us to kick on, win games and comfortably be safe by the end of the season."