Richie Wellens enjoys a moan at Shrewsbury

Wellens has played the last two games as the Town boss shuffled his pack following the two-match suspension to Ian Black.

Having been schooled at Manchester United and played a part in the rise of Leicester in his near 700-game career over nearly two decades.

The 36-year-old midfielder has high standards and is one of the experienced heads players look up to at the Greenhous Meadow.

Mellon believes Wellens' professionalism is something he wants to rub off on those around him.

The Town boss said: "He has good standards and he's a whingeing git!' hat's good because he wants people to be good around him.

"He demands people represent him well in his career, so if someone's not pulling their weight, he'll tell them, just like we do, because we all want to be successful.

"Anyone who saw the Bury game will have seen the qualities he's got – he doesn't get flustered, he loves his football and he's demanding of those around him.

"He's a good lad I've known for many years and we're pleased to have players like that here. I'm sure Shrewsbury fans are enjoying watching the qualities he brings to the group."

Wellens' biggest regret of his career was not to seek out some of the great players at United for advice such as David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and the Neville brothers.

Instead, he thought football came too easily to him and he didn't show the right attitude. So the former Blackpool, Oldham and Doncaster midfielder is hoping to make up for lost time.

He wants to pass on advice to younger players at Shrewsbury, while learning from coaches at United's academy where he is taking his badges to try to stay in the game when he retires from playing.

Mellon reckons every effort at Shrewsbury is made to avoid the sort of pitfalls Wellens fell into as a youngster.

The Town boss said: "We try to avoid that here as a coaching staff. We're as aggressive as anyone about players working as hard as they can every day.

"They need to maximise their abilities and get the most out of their careers because, as Richie would tell you, it goes in the blink of an eye.

"So they must appreciate every moment they have and realise they're lucky to be playing and look to improve in every training session.

"The best players prepare the best, train the best and look after themselves the best.

"There's no secret to it – the best do the best things. The quality of youngsters we've got here have had those qualities in abundance."

Wellens admits the approach with youngsters has changed a lot since his days coming through the ranks at Old Trafford.

He said: "Youngsters are a lot different these days – they're a lot more tender. When we were young, we basically got abused and it was a case of 'sink or swim!'

"It's changed totally and you've got to realise who you can put an arm around and who you can be a bit more aggressive with – and you've got to work that out quickly.

"But I love coming on the training ground and training with the younger lads, especially those who want to learn.

"We've got some kids with good attitudes who want to learn so I enjoy that.

"But there's going to come a day when I can't do it anymore, because Mother Nature takes its course and I'll have to hang my boots up. I'll do my best to play as long as I can."

Part of Wellens' desire to see youngsters make the most of their ability is his experience of those whose talents have been lost to the game.

He said: "Down the years I've seen so many players who have got so much talent who have stayed professional for three or four years and then disappeared out of the game.

"I'd like to think I could stay in football."

Wellens is contracted to Town for another season after this summer and he admits the next pre-season will tell him if his body can cope or not.

He added: "I just take it season by season – come next pre-season, I'll know from the training whether I can do it.

"I'm still the best player in training but one day I'll come in and I won't be able to get near anyone and I'll call it a day."