John Askey wants senior squad of 22 at Shrewsbury Town by end of summer

Town currently have 17 senior players signed ahead of tomorrow’s first friendly – a behind-closed-doors game with Kidderminster.

Askey is looking for 22 first-team senior players – not including his first and second-year professionals – to head into his first season at the Montgomery Waters Meadow helm. The manager still needs to bring in senior goalkeepers. Jake Kean and Nick Townsend are on trial with Town and may both feature against Harriers tomorrow.

“Ideally we want a squad of around 22,” Askey said. “If we get that with the younger lads too then that’ll be fine. If you get one or two injuries then you look at the loan market and so on.”

There are currently no loan players in at Town. Askey has admitted he is not a fan of having too many loans but is keen are bringing in the right characters, similarly to Town’s success last season.

Town are well-stocked in defensive positions with Toto Nsiala, Mat Sadler, Omar Beckles, Kieran Kennedy and Zak Jules vying for two centre-half spots.

James Bolton, Luke Hendrie and new boy Ryan Haynes are the recognised full-backs.

Bryn Morris, Jon Nolan and Sam Jones are central midfielders with Shaun Whalley, Arthur Gnahoua and Abo Eisa wide attacking options.

Last season’s top scorer Stefan Payne, summer signing Fejiri Okenabirhie and Lenell John-Lewis are Shrewsbury’s senior strikers.

Meanwhile, as Town return to Sundorne training following their Valencia trip, Askey believes new boys Haynes, Kennedy and Okenabirhie have bedded in well.

Askey said: “The three that have come in are decent lads, good characters, and that’s why I’ve brought them in.

“Not only have they got ability, they’re good characters and they’ve shown that in training.

“It’s all new to them but they’ve worked really hard and fitted in with the rest of the lads. Time will tell. You can do everything and look great in training but the most important thing is what they do once they start the games.”