Micky Mellon wants Connor Goldson to stay at Shrewsbury Town

And the former Fleetwood chief insists he has a back-up plan in place if the popular centre half opts not to sign his new deal.

Goldson was offered a new contract following the end of last season but has still yet to put pen to paper despite positive talks with Mellon earlier this month.

Speaking at Town's initial sign and dine event at the Greenhous Meadow last night, Mellon told fans: "I had a fantastic conversation with him but he's not signed his contract (yet).

"I am hoping to get some clarity on that in the next few days on how that is going to go forward.

"We want to keep him, there's no doubt about that. He's a great lad and certainly someone that we think we can develop even further but at the minute it is not completely in our hands what he wants to do.

"He wants to make the right decision for him which I respect because I don't want him coming here and not wanting to be here.

"But we have already got plans in place if it doesn't work out. We have got a player ready to step straight in. If it goes that way we'll be prepared."

n Town have appointed former Liverpool Academy coach Ian Dawes as their new head of academy coaching. Dawes was today starting his new role at the Greenhous Meadow.

Mellon said: "He has great connections all around the area, he is massively ambitious and wants to show us how good he is at what he does."