Joe Riley is prepared to be Shrewsbury's flexible friend

The Town full-back clocked up 90 minutes in Saturday’s FA Cup success over Aldershot after being selected ahead of James Bolton.

Riley, 26, only made his return to Paul Hurst’s thoughts in mid-September after he tore ankle ligaments and broke his fibula on the final day of last season.

And he has been battling with summer signing Bolton for the right-back berth, with the former FC Halifax man winning the nod from Hurst in League One more often than not.

Cup competitions have been favourable for Riley, who marked his return from injury with a stunning added time free-kick winner on matchday one of this year’s Checkatrade Trophy at Coventry.

Riley also played his part in the memorable league success at Doncaster, smashing in an instant equaliser before Arthur Gnahoua capped Town’s victory with a dramatic 95th-minute winner.

Fresh from helping Town open the floodgates against Aldershot as he set-up Alex Rodman with a deep cross, Riley is craving the game time. “I just want to play every game that I can at the minute,” said the former Bolton Wanderers man.

“Hopefully I’ll get the appearances racked up as well.

“It’s two games for me on the bounce – I’m not sure how many times I’ve had that this season. It’s nice to do and hopefully I’ll be getting a run of games.

“I’m not fussy, especially after the injury I had. I just want to be playing football.”

With Junior Brown’s anterior cruciate ligament surgery sidelining him for the season – and no other natural left-back within Town’s ranks – Riley has been listed as an option to fill the void for Hurst. He did so for the first time in Shrewsbury’s comfortable 3-0 success against West Bromwich Albion Under-23s, cutting in on his stronger right foot to provide deliveries for two of Town’s goals.

Riley also played at left-back in the league defeat at Peterborough.

“It is a bit more natural to me playing right-back,” added the No.2.

“Left-back is different, there’s no getting away from that – I just have to use my standing foot a bit more I reckon!

“I’d done it for a half when I’d played for Bury, one game. I seem to find it alright, it’s not too different, it’s just body shape and angles, things like that.”

Hurst has previously suggested that his players will be viewed in a better light should they be able to feature in more than one position.

Riley added: “If the gaffer needed me to do a job there I’d be more than happy to go over there.

“It’s always been nice to play in other positions, if you can it gives you more of a chance. If I can add it to my armoury it’d be great.”

While the competition brings in low crowds and is maligned by sections of supporters across the country, Riley insists that his team-mates want to take their flying form into every game.

“We want to do well in every competition this year,” he confirmed. “Whether it’s the Checkatrade, the FA Cup or the league – as people have seen – we want to be successful on all fronts.”

Town, who lead the northern Group E of the Trophy going into the final group tie, need a draw or victory against the struggling Saddlers to finish top.

The top two go into the regional round of 32 knockout draw, but the table-toppers will be awarded a home fixture.