Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury holding their breath over Jon Nolan fitness

Shrewsbury Town are holding their breath over the fitness of midfielder Jon Nolan as they go in search of a running to winning league ways.

Published
Last updated

The creative schemer missed Tuesday night's Checkatrade Trophy progression at Port Vale with soreness to a recurrent hip injury that was first picked up during the pre-season tour of Portugal.

Nolan, a summer signing from Chesterfield, has been an ever-present for Paul Hurst's high-fliers this season but the boss recently revealed that Nolan was carrying the groin complaint.

Hurst admitted that had he opted to play Nolan at Vale Park on Tuesday evening then the Town No.20 would be absent for the crucial League One clash at MK Dons on Saturday.

"He was sore and tight from the weekend," Hurst said of Nolan,

"Had we played him tonight on a heavy-ish pitch, then he'd have been a massive doubt for the weekend.

"And we want him at his best but fingers crossed he should be fine."

Hurst backed his former Grimsby man after last weekend's FA Cup progression over Morecambe by revealing Nolan was 'by far' the best player on the pitch.

Town rallied late on at Vale on Tuesday night but, aside from Nolan, Hurst is not expecting any other fitness concerns for the trip to Stadium mk. His second-placed side have last their last two league clashes against Bury and Bradford.

Skipper Abu Ogogo, who played 90 minutes at Vale Park, will be available to Hurst in the league for the first time since his dismissal in the win at Rotherham.

While the Montgomery Waters Meadow boss has an interesting team selection with Ogogo, Nolan, Ben Godfrey and Bryn Morris vying for central midfield spots.

Louis Dodds, who scored and created Town's winner on Tuesday, has also impressed in his past two displays.