Joe Jacobson gunning for Shrewsbury Town recall

The 27-year-old had been a virtual ever-present at left-back for Town this season before a side strain saw him sidelined for the home game against Port Vale 12 days ago.

He had recovered in time to play against the Magpies on Saturday but manager Mike Jackson opted for Burnley loanee Joseph Mills instead.

Town went on to win a thrilling game against their relegation rivals 3-2 and Jacobson acknowledges he faces a battle to reclaim his place.

"It was Jacko's decision to pick the team and they got a good win so it's up to me now to work hard this week and show Jacko that I should be playing," he said.

It is a position that many of his team-mates also find themselves in at the moment .

Aside from Mills, Celtic striker Bahrudin Atajic, Peterborough winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Swindon forward Miles Storey have been brought in on loan by Jackson in the last month, increasing competition for several positions.

And Jackson has also proved himself willing to ring the changes in recent games, with several regular starters being left out following unsatisfactory displays in the last few weeks.

But Jacobson welcomes the increased competition and believes it can only be a good thing for the team.

He said: "Jacko wanted competition for places and I think maybe there were a few players early on in the season that took their place for granted and thought that maybe if they didn't perform they wouldn't be taken out of the team.

"But now, if you look at the last couple of weeks at the players who have been taken, Jacko is not afraid of changing it.

"He sets his standards high, he wants all the players to perform to their maximum ability every week and that's how it should be."

Meanwhile Atajic scored his first goal for Town yesterday as the reserves drew 2-2 at Oldham. Atajic netted from the penalty spot with youth teamer Dave Easthope also on target.