Shrewsbury winger Alex Rodman battling confusing ankle injury

Rodman, who has been in fine form this season, did not travel to Bury on Tuesday night, where Hurst's Town suffered just their second League One defeat of the season.

But the table-toppers could be without Rodman, 30, for Saturday's crunch visit of fifth-placed and promotion challenging Bradford.

"Alex is the obvious one," said Hurst. "He's been out on the pitch today (Thursday).

"In truth I'm not too sure what his availability will be.

"I'm not trying to hide anything or play games if Bradford decide to listen in.

"I'll need to speak with Skitty (Chris Skitt) and see where we're at with it, it's a bit of a confusing one – I can't honestly tell you.

"He's had a complaint with his ankle for a little while now and it seems to almost come and go.

"That's the most difficult thing in the world to assess and make a call on.

"One day he's feeling really good and moving well and the next it's not – that's hard for the medical team and me to pencil him in or rule him out.

"We'll see on Friday or even Saturday morning."

Ex-Grimsby and Notts County man Rodman has netted four times from 20 outings for Town this season as well as providing a haul of assists.

Town were without influential skipper Abu Ogogo (suspended for two more games) at Bury, alongside Rodman and long-term injury absentee Junior Brown.

Hurst revealed after the Bury defeat how the winger 'ruled himself' out of the clash at Gigg Lane, and went on to explain how players work with varying mindsets.

The Montgomery Waters Meadow boss added: "Some (injuries) are obvious, Junior for instance, he'd try and rule himself in but it's obvious he's out.

"Alex the other day, he said he's not fit. I can't do anything about that, it's where he was at.

"If he's not fit and able to take part then he's not. Maybe, wrongly, I always think of how I am.

"How I would've handled that situation and it would've been someone else telling me that I'm not available.

"We're all different characters with different mindsets and the way we go about things. Would I like him available? Of course, he's been a good player for us this season and gives us that ability to turn defence into attack, create and score goals.

"Every manager would want that sort of player available."