Shrewsbury Town new-boy Lenell John-Lewis hopes injury nightmare is behind him
Lenell John-Lewis is determined to put his injury nightmare behind him and re-kindle an impressive record under Paul Hurst after checking into Shrewsbury Town.
The ex-Grimsby hitman will feature under Hurst again for the first time in two years, where he enjoyed a career-best campaign, netting 18 goals in total.
The 28-year-old forward then secured a move into the Football League with Newport County, but endured a horror knee problem last summer that blighted his final year with the Exiles.
John-Lewis joins fellow forward Arthur Gnahoua – who signed earlier this week from Kidderminster Harriers – in through the door as Hurst's summer overhaul rolled into action.
And John-Lewis, who scored 26 goals in 101 Grimsby outings altogether, believes an 'educational' stint on the sidelines has stood him in good stead.
"I had a tough 10 months, but it was an educational 10 months as well," he admitted.
“I learnt a lot about the sport and my body and I’ve come out of it a lot stronger and I’m just looking forward to getting started.
“I’ve seen Chris (Skitt, Town physio) today and it’s pleasing to see someone with a lot of knowledge and someone who wants to work and get the best out of you as well.
“I want to get back into playing football and enjoying my football again. Hopefully I will do well for myself, but also do well for the club and that’s why I’m here."
The striker's 18 goals in the 2014/15 campaign, including one at Wembley in the National League play-off final, caught the eye of Football League clubs.
John-Lewis, who did spend time in League One with Bury earlier in his career, is hopeful that re-uniting with the Town boss and Hurst's no.2 Chris Doig will see Shrewsbury fans sample some of the form that burgeoned his reputation with Grimsby.
He added: "I'm very pleased to be here. It's a welcome change and I'm very pleased to be at Shrews, I can't wait to get started.
"To re-join the manager and Chris Doig is going to be good for me. I've worked well with them before and they've been able to get the best out of me.
"Honesty is both of their main attributes. They tell you how it is, good or bad, and it improves you.
"It would be great to repeat that season here, I'd love to repeat that. Hard work and honesty is what we want from here."
