Shrewsbury Town boost with duo set to return
Shrewsbury Town have been handed a fitness boost as Junior Brown and Jim O'Brien are in contention for a return – but Salop must wait on concerns over Ivan Toney and Joe Riley.
Positive news also comes in the shape of forward AJ Leitch-Smith and midfielder Ian Black, who have also returned to training this week.
Micky Mellon's side have enjoyed a free week's training ahead of the visit of second-placed Scunthorpe United in League One.
And they will be relieved as popular full-back Brown looks set to be involved tomorrow.
Brown, one of Town's most consistent performers this term, picked up an ankle injury in training last Friday and was forced to sit out the trip to Bury.
But after a scan revealed the ankle injury was not serious, Brown has been participating in parts of training with the first team and completing running sessions.
Wide midfielder O'Brien made his last start in the home victory against Chesterfield, although he did play for half an hour in the League Cup loss at Sunderland.
The former Coventry man has been struggling with a groin problem that made him miss a large chunk of last season after undergoing surgery.
Mellon said: "It's great news that Junior could be in contention because he's so big in what we're doing.
"He's a talented boy and has been playing very, very well and scoring goals for us. Jim O'Brien's trained, we'll see what the reaction is to that because Jim is a player I rate very highly as well and we have big plans and hopes for him to make us a better team."
Town are likely to be without key duo Riley and Toney after both picked up knocks at Bury last weekend.
Toney took a whack on his ankle in the first half at Gigg Lane but remained on to score his third goal for the club.
Full-back Riley picked up a knee injury and was sent for a scan on Wednesday. The club are awaiting results to see the extent of the problem.
Mellon is urging his squad to improve on a dismal home record of just six league wins in 26 games. But the Scot insists his squad are not struggling mentally.
"Psychologically, I try and steer away from something that's a problem, if not that makes them apprehensive then to take onto the pitch," he added. "We want to win more home games."
