Shrewsbury Town throw gauntlet down to AJ Leitch-Smith
Paul Hurst wants to add at least two more senior forwards to his ranks – and has laid down the gauntlet for AJ Leitch-Smith to fight for his Shrewsbury future.
The Town boss is ready to turn to his striking options this summer after so far securing six additions, but just one recognised centre-forward.
Lenell John-Lewis joined from Newport County and joins Leitch-Smith as out-and-out strikers within Town’s numbers.
Hurst is also able to call on newcomer Arthur Gnahoua to play an offensive role centrally or out wide, while Louis Dodds, Shaun Whalley, Alex Rodman and Daniel James can do similar.
But the boss wants to head into the season with four strikers to call upon.
“Four senior strikers is ideal, maybe five if you’re being greedy but that’ll probably be too far and give me too many headaches,” said Hurst.
“With the likes of Arthur and Doddsy – what is Doddsy? He’s not a striker, he’s not an out-and-out winger – four strikers would be ideal. I’d like two players in every position.
“Arthur can play centrally and wide. Is he a natural goalscorer? No in my opinion.
“Doddsy isn’t a natural goalscorer but he gets us goals so he’s another one we can add to the mix.
“I know Alex Rodman has promised me he’s going to score a lot more than he did last season – Shaun Whalley’s another. We should have plenty of goals by the sound of it!”
Leitch-Smith arrived from Port Vale last summer but was on the periphery after struggling to get over muscle strain injuries.
“AJ’s here and it’s down to him to show me he wants to be here,” said the boss.
“There’s a few lads that are here but it’s not set in stone they will be here for the long term. We’ll see how things progress.”
Hurst is aware of the sharp-shooters he wants to take Town forward.
He added: “The forwards have been identified but I’m not confident, I find it very difficult to be confident about players signing in this environment.
“What I would say is, if we can get players to come to the training ground then straight away that’ll make a good impression.”
Meanwhile former skipper Adam El-Abd has joined League Two side Wycombe Wanderers.
The former Brighton and Bristol City defender departed Town on Friday after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
