Shropshire Star

Boss Paul Hurst warns Shrewsbury Town – don’t step off the gas

Shrewsbury TOWN boss Paul Hurst will ramp up training in the next couple of days after his players enjoyed a deserved mini-break.

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The League One play-off finalists returned to training with a light session at Montgomery Waters Meadow yesterday as work began on the Sundorne Castle training ground surface.

But Hurst is keen to keep his players on their toes ahead of the Wembley showpiece in nine days. They will then enjoy Sunday and Monday off before returning to a normal week of training build-up ahead of the clash with Rotherham.

“We want to keep them working,” said the boss. “Naturally, after a few days off you could tell they needed a day to get into it.

“Today will be a tough day, Saturday the same and then they will get a couple of days off before a normal run in for a game week to week.”

While wary of his squad not picking up any injuries – with the group only without Abu Ogogo and Junior Brown in terms of contention to play – Hurst does not want his players shying out of tackles in training.

Hurst added: “Injuries are part and parcel of it. I’m a big believer that if you take your foot off the gas or don’t go in for a challenge, you’re more likely to get hurt.

“That’s what I believe in. If something happens we’ll have to deal with it. I don’t expect people two-footing each other.

“But at the same time you’ve got to do things right.

“I I said to them, yes you’ve had a few days off, yes I don’t want them thinking about the game, but don’t come too far off the gas, so to speak.”

“Keep a focus. Make sure you’re doing things properly away from here, no change in routines or anything silly at this point.

“It’s just trying to keep it as normal as possible. It’s been a difficult part because it’s been so long. We didn’t want them in all this time, they deserved a break.”