Josh Vela committed to Shrewsbury Town cause

The midfielder, 27, was subject of interest from Championship side Blackpool towards the end of the transfer window last month but a bid did not materialise.

Vela, winner of multiple gongs at Town’s player of the season awards last term, insists his only focus is with Shrewsbury and said he will play for boss Steve Cotterill for as long as he is needed.

“It was just a bit of speculation, obviously. It didn’t affect me because I was just concentrating on being here and working hard for this place and the manager,” former Bolton and Hibernian man Vela said.

“Obviously I want to be here, work hard and make sure this team gets up the table.

“I had it before a few times when I was at Bolton, teams sniffing about, but I’m just getting on with my job here.

“My job is here and as long as the manager wants me I’ll be here for him, to help him.”

Vela is likely to be in Cotterill’s side as Town visit Accrington Stanley in League One tomorrow, looking to build on their first league points of the campaign with the win over Gillingham last weekend.

The midfielder is out of contract at the Meadow next summer and was thought to be keen on the idea of extending his stay at the club where he is settled, with a second child on the way.

Cotterill admitted the other day he was pleased to have kept hold of one of his star players. Vela added: “It’s nice to hear those words from the gaffer, I’m pleased to be here and I want to be here. I want to play for him every week.”

Cotterill said: “Josh is a good lad, all the talk about there being a bid for him, it was just talk.

“Then somebody else jumps on it, then somebody asks a question, and it escalates into something that was never there.

“I don’t take any notice of what goes on and what is written, you know what’s going on in-house.

“I really didn’t have any fears of Josh wanting to leave. Even if Blackpool had come in (with a bid) for him, Josh wasn’t sure he wanted to leave anyway, I think he’s committed to us.”