Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Town trialists are impressing John Askey

Shrewsbury boss John Askey admits trialist duo Steve Arnold and Doug Loft have given him food for thought after again impressing in blue and amber.

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The pair featured for Town for a third time as Askey’s men continued their fine pre-season form yesterday by beating Premier League Burnley 1-0.

Former Stevenage and Forest Green shot-stopper Arnold, 28, could be an option as Town are still without a senior goalkeeper in their ranks.

Askey is a fan of deep-lying central midfield player Loft, 31, who has used the ball smartly in Shrewsbury’s friendlies.

“Steve did great, he played really well. So did Dougie Loft. I’m pleased with both of those,” Askey said.

“We need to get more people in, as we saw yesterday. I need to speak with them and then make a decision.

“I’m sure it’ll be ongoing until the start of the season.

“They have given me food for thought because they’ve both done well so I’ve been pleased with them. Hopefully it pushes one or two.”

Despite yesterday’s victory at Burnley’s training base, Askey was displeased with the organisation of his side, who remain unbeaten this summer.

The boss added: “We played some good football.

"We just let ourselves down a little bit in organisation. We’ve got to set our standards high and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Askey is keen to recruit and bolster his Town squad with two goalkeepers and two central midfielders.

But the boss is aware that it may take switches elsewhere to create a domino effect in the market.

“We still have our irons in the fire,” Askey said.

“We’re waiting for one or two to drop.

“It’ll take other clubs letting players out and one or two being sold for the wheels to get in motion and then it filters down to ourselves.”