Paul Hurst hinting at recall for Junior Brown
Paul Hurst admits benched Shrewsbury full-back Junior Brown has forced his way back into first-team contention.
Brown, Town's most-used player this season with 42 appearances, was surprisingly dropped for last weekend's draw at Chesterfield.
Town chief Hurst demanded a reaction and revealed that the 27-year-old has put in a response in training at Greenhous Meadow.
Shrews have no fresh injury concerns ahead of tonight's crunch League One clash at Port Vale, with just midfielder Abu Ogogo sidelined.
"With Junior this week, it seems to me, whatever it was, he's played and trained with a bit more energy," said Hurst.
"You don't want it to get to that point but when they do come out, any player – not just Junior – you want them to be desperate to be back in the team."
It was the first time the left-back had been omitted from a Town team under Hurst.
And the boss added: "I don't mind putting it in the public, some people get very panicky with managers actually saying what they think, but I don't think Junior played well in the three previous games, he agreed in two of them.
"That said, he's done well since I came to the club and had been in the team. Maybe that's why when he dropped below it was more evident.
"Nothing is ever personal and we just felt he needed to come out. It may be that he goes back in (tonight), it's a decision I've got to make."
Meanwhile, Hurst wants to see a more rounded performance from his striking duo as he revealed selection remains a headache.
Critics have suggested that performances have at times been better from the bench and the boss wants to see more from those that start.
Hurst ran the rule over his forwards in training yesterday with a start in tonight's trip to Port Vale in mind, but was still left with decisions to be made.
"No, they aren't picking themselves," added the boss.
"So overall I have to think about how the opposition play, the type of centre-backs we'll be against.
"Overall how they've done, how they've looked in training.
"I'll be honest, yesterday I was watching training looking at that area.
"Whether or not the players always see that or whether they think I've made my mind up on the team – sometimes I have, sometimes I haven't.
"I'm still probably two decisions away from being 100 per cent set in stone for tonight."
