Paul Hurst reveals difficult time for Shrewsbury defender

A resulting scan revealed the damage was severe enough to rule Pierre out for the rest of the season, and Hurst has given an update on where the left-sided defender is at with his recovery.

"He is good, he has been back in," the head coach remarked. "Said he feels good. I think he is finding it a bit strange as he did not feel as bad as what he has had in the past which he knew was really bad.

"But no, he has been back in and is doing some work in the gym what he can obviously as he has got to try and stay on top of his fitness as best he can.

"But he seems in good spirits and has been around the lads and is doing as much as he can do realistically."

Pierre signed a short-term deal back in October to re-join Shrewsbury, before he signed a longer deal back in January which would see him remain in Shropshire until the end of the season.

The defender, who was a regular in the starting XI after Hurst took over from former boss Matt Taylor, scored the equaliser away at Derby.

But being out for the season and out of contract is a vulnerable spot to be in as a player, and Hurst says Pierre has been around long enough to know how to cope with a situation like this.

"What I would say is he is an experienced player," he added. "I am not saying it has particularly happened to him before, but I am sure he has seen it happen, and you know he is not an 18-year-old who has not given too much thought to things.

"I am sure it has been on his mind.

"His season in general, joining the club late, I am sure it has not been his favourite season overall, but at the same time, he is experienced.

"He will understand the situation he is in at the minute, and then when it comes to that point, we will sit down and have a conversation."