Shrewsbury Town extend Abu Ogogo's contract until end of next season

The news asked as a big boost to the Greenhous Meadow outfit, who have been without the all-action midfielder since the 1-0 win at Scunthorpe on February 11 due to injury.

Ogogo was signed by Micky Mellon from Dagenham & Redbridge on a two-year deal in 2015.

Current boss Paul Hurst revealed that Ogogo had ticked off the required number of games to further extend the deal by another year.

The 27-year-old is also recovering from his serious knee well and has began work on the training ground.

Hurst selected Ogogo as his captain with club skipper Adam El-Abd on the bench and vice-captain Jim O'Brien out with Ross County.

And the energetic midfielder was winning plenty of plaudits from supporters with his passionate displays in the heart of midfield.

But ligament damage in his knee curtailed his progress under Hurst and ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Hurst said: "I was aware of the situation when I arrived and he's ticked off the games that have allowed us to do that. I've said from the start he's the right type of character that we'd like at the football club.

"Because of his injury we were hanging fire on announcing it but he's back out on the training ground and has been going really well."

Ogogo is the first existing player to have been handed an improved deal since Hurst's October appointment.

January signings Ryan Yates - on loan from Nottingham Forest - and Saturday's man of the match against Rochdale Bryn Morris have filled in for Ogogo.

"Of late people have questioned he may be missing which I don't like to go along too much," Hurst added. "We've obviously got other players that we're trying to fill the position.

"In Yatesy we've had some victories with him and Bryn gets man of the match on Saturday and has done well the last couple of games.

"There is no doubt he's done well and captained the side at times, we're pleased to get that option."

Hurst is an admirer of Ogogo's passionate displays, and the midfielder has been typically driven in his recovery from injury.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve when playing. Everyone can see the effort he puts in there and that will to win, that's what we want all the players to have moving forward.

"It certainly doesn't hurt - to have him training - he's maintained a good attitude and always has a smile on his face. That disappears when he's out there with a more serious head on. It's great to have him out there.

"It's a step forward for him, it doesn't mean he's going to be involved for us in terms of the starting line-up but the progress has been very promising and we'll manage him correctly being now and the end of the season.

Hurst said on the injury: "When you get a timescale you think you'll be out, nothing's ever set in stone. I remember coming back from one injury that was more serious, it was always trying to beat the deadline that people expected.

"You have to be careful, it can put too much pressure on the person and they can be disappointed if it's later than suggested. Nothing's ever set in stone and we're pleased it'll be a slightly earlier than the first date mentioned.

"He's being careful with it but the type of lad he is he's pushed himself forward and Skitty's been really pleased with the progress made.

"We spoke to the surgeon and he's happy with how it's gone so we feel it's a good time to announce it."