Only our best will do against Yeovil, warns Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst

Town welcome the League Two relegation battlers to Montgomery Waters Meadow tonight in the Checkatrade Trophy semi-final, writes Lewis Cox.

Hurst insisted his players will not be taking the Glovers lightly. Darren Way’s seasoned giant-killers have previous in upsetting the odds against higher-ranked opposition.

But Hurst is confident that, should his side reach levels similar to those at The Valley last Saturday where Charlton were swept aside, Yeovil will be in for a tough night.

“For me, it’s about us doing things correctly and trying to be as close to our best on the night,” said the Shrews chief.

“If we do that then we give ourselves a really good chance. Our results have shown we’ve been successful against some very good teams.

“We’ve got to strive for that. We can’t think we’ll play 80 per cent because we played well on Saturday’ or ‘we’ve got another game the weekend’.

“It’s about the here and now. The prize is massive and I’m hoping that’s what the players understand, providing it doesn’t go the other way and put them under too much pressure.”

Way’s men – who are down in 17th in League Two, just three points above the drop zone – have already downed Town’s third tier rivals Southend, Bradford, Plymouth, AFC Wimbledon and Fleetwood this season.

Their energy also impressed despite a 4-0 defeat against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in the FA Cup.

“It (giant-killing) can give you that confidence,” Hurst, who knows Way from their time on coaching courses, added. “They played Manchester United so they’re not going to be fazed by playing Shrewsbury Town.

“Realistically, the position they are in the league that are over-achieving.

“They’re doing fine this season and very well in the cup competitions. They had the big day out on TV where they did very well for large parts.

“There’s no doubt we’re favourites. It shouldn’t change any mindset other than trying to win the game.”

“What it does change is getting a feel from fans. Maybe some will turn up thinking ‘we’re going to win’.”

Hurst is without right-back James Bolton, who came off at Charlton with damaged ankle ligaments. His natural replacement Luke Hendrie is cup-tied, as is fellow new signing Sam Jones so Joe Riley is set to start.

The boss used the Trophy’s group stage and early knockout rounds to switch his starting XI.

He conceded doing the same tonight could leave fans demanding answers if Town lost. Hurst added: “When we played some of the games I’ve changed things round, but at the same time I’ve never put a team out that could not win the game.

“From that point of view I don’t want it deemed I put a second-string team out. For me it’s about trying to win the game.

“I understand if I change it round a bit I’m going to leave myself open to criticism if we don’t get through. It’ll be whatever team I think is best on the night with fitness and everything, but to get us through.”

With Town second in League One, the boss admitted reaching the final at Wembley could act as a positive dress rehearsal to any play-off final in May.

“Who knows? As it stands right now, even though there’s a lot of football to be played, there’s a slight possibility we could end up there in a different way.

“That would be something we would look at further down the line depending on results. We could use it as a positive step. It wouldn’t be a distraction but a great day out for everyone connected and to lift a trophy.”