Shropshire Star

Paul Hurst believes new loan man Nathan Thomas can add his magic to Shrewsbury Town

Shrewsbury chief Paul Hurst believes new loan signing Nathan Thomas will add magic to Town's attacking ranks.

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Hurst finally secured a deal to bring the highly-rated Sheffield United winger to Montgomery Waters Meadow after trying to sign him in two previous windows.

The 23-year-old has found minutes hard to come by at the high-flying Blades and Hurst has swooped to seal the loan until the end of the season.

Thomas, who shone at relegated Hartlepool in League Two to earn a £200,000 switch to Bramall Lane, has netted twice this season for Chris Wilder's side in cup competitions. But he has been limited to 16 Championship minutes.

Hurst believes the long-shot specialist has the extra ability Town need to break down stubborn defences as they bid to stay at the top.

The boss said: "It's been a long, drawn-out process in this window, the last window and the one before that.

"We've finally got our man and there's a lot of pressure on him now to deliver. He's someone I've been a fan of for some time, particularly from playing against him when I was at Grimsby and he was at Hartlepool.

"He's very talented, I think he's got that little bit extra, he can score special goals.

"Maybe when games are tight and you need that little bit of magic. I said earlier in the season about how we've not scored many goals from outside the box – he certainly doesn't pass (at the chance) and has the ability.

"He's something a little bit different. He can play in behind the striker and wide and has real good ability on the ball. That's why Sheffield United took him. They haven't played him but he's been a victim of success about how bad they've done.

"I don't think it's because he's not a good enough footballer.

"I'm delighted to have him here after trying to sign him for quite some time."

Hurst revealed that Thomas had given the Meadow club word that, should he leave United on loan, he would head to Shropshire, where he is keen on securing regular minutes in Hurst's wide 4-1-4-1 system.

Shaun Whalley and Alex Rodman have enjoyed impressive seasons but the boss maintained since the previous window in August he was keen to add extra competition, adding that the duo have had easier rides at times.

But the boss confirmed there was no guaranteed selection for Thomas, and – following the earlier capture of non-league starlet Abo Eisa – he now has extra strengfth ind epth to leave out under-performing players.

"It does give me a headache," he admitted. "Maybe I can adopt him in a different position too if I wanted to. Those two have done fantastic but there's no doubt they've had an easier ride than lads in other positions.

"I believe competition brings out the best in people, if you have the right character to have a good career at the highest level you can play at.

"Nathan will have to rise to that challenge. I'm not guaranteeing him starts, it's in his head he wants to come and play football but I've never promised him. He knows I'm obviously a fan but it's about who delivers on the pitch and training ground.

"I'm getting to the point now where someone can have a day off in training and that might then have a real impact in what I decide on game day. That's what we want. It's hopefully healthy competition. We've got quite a few midweek games to come. I still think everyone will have a part to play.

"It won't be the same XI week in, week out, that's for sure."