Dominic Smith in line for Shrewsbury debut

The talented 19-year-old youth-team graduate, who was handed a professional deal back in February 2014, has yet to make his competitive senior debut.

But he impressed manager Micky Mellon during a successful loan spell with Conference North side Tamworth last season, which saw the Lambs miss a play-off place by just one point.

And Town chief executive Matt Williams said that Mellon will cast a close eye over Smith in pre-season training this year with a view to handing him a first team role.

He said: "Micky is going to look at him. He did very, very well at Tamworth, and he is going to have a look at him in pre-season to be in and around the first-team squad."

Smith's time at the Lamb last season proved hugely beneficial, but the player is now ready to test himself at a higher level.

Williams said: "With a long spell away like Dom had – six months at Tamworth – we can see how much it benefited them and how much it benefited Dom, but he needs to go higher now."

Following his return to Shrewsbury from Tamworth in April, he Smith an unused substitute in the team's last four games of the League Two season as Town won automatic promotion to the English third tier.

If and when he make his competitive first team debut he will become the latest in a growing list of youth team graduates to break into the senior side.

Town defender Connor Goldson and midfielder Ryan Woods have also come through the youth set-up at the Greenhous Meadow as did Walsall striker Tom Bradshaw, Peterborough midfielder Jon Taylor and Man City No.1 Joe Hart.