Hosts Barrow give hope of a revival, but Salop need a hero - Shrewsbury Town preview

At that time, they sat one point above Town in the League Two table - but two games later and that gap has grown to seven thanks to victories on back-to-back Saturdays.

Oh what Salop would give right now for that sort of kickstart to their campaign.

They need a hero - someone to step forward. Loanees Tommy McDermott, Ismeal Kabia and Bradley Ihionvien have all threatened to be that man on occasion this season, as has teenage starlet Isaac England.

But that spark can come from anywhere.

For Barrow, it was the introduction of a bit-part midfielder who was signed from non-league in January.

Isaac Fletcher - who was plying his trade for Spennymoor Town in National League North at the start of last season - was making his first start of the campaign in that 5-0 trouncing by Blackpool and hauled off on the hour-mark.

But he started again and scored the only goal of the game against Crewe Alexandra four days later, before proceeding to make one and score another in last weekend's 2-1 triumph at Crawley Town.

That has lifted the Bluebirds seven points clear of Shrewsbury in the relegation zone and into the relative safety of 17th place.

So who could be Town's hero?

Will McDermott, Kabia or Ihionvien step up again? Can England force his way back into the starting XI to provide some inspiration? Or are we yet to see the best of someone, who can mark themselves out as the saviour of the 2025/26 season by dragging Salop to Football League safety?

Chuks Aneke looks the best bet to be that man currently after scoring his first goal from the bench in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to MK Dons - though Saturday may come too soon for a start as he builds up his fitness.

Whoever it is, the sooner that superhero cape is around their neck, the better.

Collectively, Town took a step forward during the second half of that Dons defeat - but boss Michael Appleton knows they must start more quickly and stop conceding the first goal.

Injury problems have not helped them in defence.

Though boosted by the swift return of Sam Stubbs last weekend, having limped off against Harrogate Town seven days earlier, the prognosis for fellow defender Tom Anderson is somewhat worse and he is not expected back for at least another couple of weeks.

That means Luca Hoole is likely to be employed as a right-sided centre-back again, with Tom Sang filling in at right-wing-back.

Appleton will also have to decide who starts in attack, with that improved second-half display against the Dons meaning he could lean towards half-time substitute George Lloyd alongside captain John Marquis.

That would mean summer loan signing Bradley Ihionvien dropping to the bench for the first time since joining from Peterborough United on deadline day.