Chey Dunkley reveals key to Shrewsbury success

At times over the course of the last two years, coaches have found it hard to fill the bench in Shropshire due to injuries and squad depth - but Shrews certainly have more strength in numbers at present.

One of those areas is at centre-back. Dunkley is certain to start every game if he is fit, but team-mates like Tom Flanagan, Jason Sraha, Morgan Feeney, Joe Anderson and Aaron Pierre, before his injury, have been driving each other on.

Dunkley said: "When you have competition, it is healthy because sometimes when there are a lot of injuries or we are short in an area of the pitch, as much as you want to keep that professionalism up.

"You want to train hard and you want to keep those levels up, and that sometimes comes down to your character, but it is always good to know that someone is hungry and wants that jersey.

"So I think it is almost pushing each other within camp and it is so important because it keeps me on my toes and rightfully so. I think that is a good thing.

There are seven League One games left in this campaign with Shrewsbury welcoming Oxford to the Croud Meadow on Good Friday before making the trip to Bristol Rovers on Monday.

Town remain six points away from the 50 mark - which is said to be a big enough points tally to keep a side in the division - so they do still need a couple of positive results between now and the end of the season.

And Dunkley says competition for places makes him work harder.

He continued: "For me, it can only be positive for Shrewsbury Town that I am pushing the hardest I can and then you have players who are fighting to take my jersey.

"Ultimately that will convert into performances and then results. Competition for places is a real thing, we are competitive by nature that is why we are professionals and it brings the best out of players."