Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst happy to hold up contract talks

Town agreed an extension with Abu Ogogo earlier this week as the season draws to a close – with just three games remaining following today's visit of Walsall.

And given his side are still fighting to avoid the third tier drop, the Greenhous Meadow chief has admitted talks with current players and future targets will have to wait until the club's position for next season is known.

"With some things (my hands are tied)," said Hurst. "There's been a lot of hard work behind the scenes in terms of planning pre-season.

"Players wise, whenever you're a manager you'll be looking for players that could stay on a list for years and years. There's no doubt that – not knowing the league you're in – there are players that say 'I'd be interested if you were in League One but in League Two, then I'm not so sure.'

"You do have to wait, it is a bit of a waiting game. I am relatively comfortable with that because I've been used to playing the last game of the season and then having to sort decisions out.

"That doesn't faze me. It's something that I'm used to. I'm confident we'll get things sorted as soon as possible."

With a number of contracted players struggling for game time, Hurst is aware players may seek an exit come the summer.

Until then the boss has encouraged his group to remain a tight unit and stay professional.

He added: "I'm sure once the end of the season arrives or we know our fate, then conversations will start to be had.

"Some players under contract haven't played anywhere nearly as much as they'd have liked. They might come and say they don't want to be here – who knows?

"The big focus at this moment in time is to ask them to stick together no matter your current situation. Approach your job as your title suggests – 'a professional' – and I will treat people the best way I can.

"Everything else has took a bit of a back seat."