Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst buoyant after fending off competition for Max Lowe

The 20-year-old left-back has joined Salop until the end of the season from Derby County.

He is the club's first signing of the January transfer window, and Hurst said: "He’s played with England youth teams from Under-16s to 20s and you don’t do that if you haven’t got some talent.

"Hopefully, we can see that talent with us. I haven’t promised him anything but he will obviously back himself to get into the team and do well, in a position where we made no secret of wanting a player in.

“I think Max had a lot of options available to him in our league, so I think the fact that we are having a good season helps attract players and maybe get the right side of decisions.

"I’m delighted that he has chosen us. I don’t know him properly yet, but from just speaking to him I think he seems my type of person.

"I think he will be willing to work, he’s honest and down to earth, and I look forward to working with him."

Town were keen to get a left-back in after losing Junior Brown for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Omar Beckles – who joined the club as a centre-half – has played there as of late.

On Lowe, Hurst added: "He’s a left-back that can play up a position as well if needs be, or wing-back if we change system.

“I would suggest he’s a modern day full-back – very athletic.

"He’s a young player with a little bit of Championship experience and what was pleasing when we spoke to Max was that he wanted to come and play football.

“That might sound silly but there’s quite a lot of players out there that are happy staying in comfort zones, but he wants to get out there and experience first-team football again and we are delighted to get him on board.”