Shaun Whalley tipped to have a big impact at Shrewsbury Town

The 29-year-old started the first two games of the season against MK Dons in League One and Huddersfield in the EFL Cup but has been absent with a calf injury.

The former Wrexham and Southport flier made his return from injury during Micky Mellon's side's 2-1 defeat at Bury last Saturday and played his part in setting up Ivan Toney's equaliser.

And ex-midfielder McNally was impressed with what he saw from the Scouser, who offered Town more pace going forward.

"It was an excellent return from injury for Shaun," said the Salop hero.

"I know he's a Scouser and there's one thing about Scousers – they're streetwise when it comes to football.

"For me looking at the team, I know that they've changed and it's a brand new side, you can see that he's going to be a big player and influence for this side. I know that Micky would be absolutely delighted that he came through that second half.

"But he certainly showed some good touches on the ball and ran at players, committing players. Once you go and commit defenders, one of them's got to come to you. If you beat one, you draw others out and create space. I think it'll be a big positive in the weeks and months to come."

Mellon will hope to see fellow winger Jim O'Brien return from a groin problem and with Stoke City loanee Moha Choulay also coming off the bench at Bury, Town have options in the wide areas.

But McNally warned the widemen must put in the graft.

The 53-year-old added: "It's great to play natural wingers and they have to be workers as well, they have to be able to work for the team.

"You don't want wingers to just stand and only come alive when they get the ball. They have to be prepared to work and Shaun certainly looks like one of those players."

* Read Bernard McNally's exclusive column in the Star each Thursday