Paul Hurst: Shrewsbury Town fans can be the 12th man

Salop welcome Staffordshire neighbours Port Vale to Greenhous Meadow in a bid to end a run of two League One defeats.

And Hurst is hoping that supporters will recreate the positive atmosphere that helped Town collect three points in their last home game against Oxford United.

Since then, the boss has suffered his first blip in charge, with a creditable close defeat at Sheffield United backed up by a forgettable evening at Fleetwood in a 3-0 defeat.

"I hope the game can recreate the atmosphere from Oxford," he said. "There was no doubt that felt like a good win and was celebrated by a proper football club.

"I don't know if I got the wrong impression, but I think people hadn't seen it like that for some time. We have got fans that have passion and want to see their team do well.

"They got behind us when we needed them, which is a great trait for me and the players. It's easy when things are going well, we can all shout and applaud.

"It's when they're not going well, the temptation for fans is very easy to turn on the team and start booing and that doesn't help."

Hurst added: "I think they have to be the 12th man. I'm not saying it's their fault that we are where we are! I've said about sticking together and that includes the fans.

"I'm sure there are a lot of frustrated fans, there are frustrated players and frustrated staff and a frustrated chairman. But if we start pulling in different directions then there's only one outcome.

"If you run, tackle and compete then that will be a start with them (fans) wanting to get involved in the game.

"If they bring something to the game before the players have done anything – and I dare say this weekend could be one of those occasions – then even better."

Town are set to call upon Ian Black, who came off at Fleetwood with a heavy knock, while fellow midfielder Jim O'Brien – who also limped out of the game – will train today. Injured trio Shaun Whalley, Ethan Jones and Joe Riley remain unavailable.