Louis Dodds completes Chesterfield switch

The 31-year-old has signed an 18-month deal with the Spireites, bringing to an end his year-and-a-half on Shropshire.

Dodds – who had just six months remaining on his Shrewsbury contract – was top scorer for Town in his first season at the club, netting 10 goals from attacking midfield.

But the ex-Port Vale hero, signed in 2016 by Micky Mellon, has found game time hard to come by for Paul Hurst’s men this season, making just five starts in League One – and none since the November defeat at Bury.

Hurst said earlier in the month that he was keen to keep Dodds as a squad player, but it seems the Spireites are in position to complete the deal.

Meanwhile, Town chief executive Brian Caldwell has confirmed Shrewsbury will back Hurst as the club face a race against the clock to secure targets before tonight’s deadline.

Shrews hope to seal the capture of attacking options before the window shuts at 11pm, with business looking like it could go to the wire.

Caldwell and Hurst are working tirelessly to add to the ranks at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Sheffield United wideman Nathan Thomas is understood to be a key target, while Shrewsbury have also shown interest in Crawley winger Jordan Roberts, although he has interest from elsewhere.

Hurst had concluded his business in defensive areas with the early captures of Max Lowe and Luke Hendrie. The boss has regularly refused to suggest he is in for a centre-forward, but added he would consider it if the right option became available.

The chief executive said: “We’re still trying to back him as much as we possibly can. It’s up to him to pick the players, everybody knows the type of players Paul wants.

“Hard-working players who will give their all. The right types is really important. You just need to look at the success and the players he’s unearthed from all leagues and helped get us to second.

“Long may that continue and we’ll try to back him as much as we possibly can. Paul’s just been in there talking to the chairman and I, going through new things that have developed today.

“There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes in the last few weeks, that’s for sure.”

Caldwell added his frustration with agents and intermediaries linking their clients with the League One high-fliers.

He believes Town are the victims of their own success in their improbable rise to the summit of the division after beginning the campaign as relegation favourites.

“Because of our success this season they’re thinking they can link us with more players because of a budget or something,” he added.

“We’re a victim of our own success because we’re linked with every player out there and being used by agents.

“They’re trying to push their clients. It’s just to get it newsworthy and out there for someone to offer more money and agents fee.”