Pre-season set to crank up a notch for Hurst’s charges

They will now test themselves against much better opposition with Blues making the journey to Shropshire.

It is slightly strange to see Salop taking on a side in the same division as them. After all, they have also been drawn in the same EFL Trophy group too. So they will play against each other a minimum of four times.

Blues have come down from the Championship so they are likely to be competing at a different end of the division to Town.

For Salop, it is the first real test. The first game is always a blow away the cobwebs exercise. In fact, most of them are at this time of year, but it is a chance to show what they can do.

The same will be said when they take on Leicester City on Tuesday night. The Foxes are now in the Premier League and that will be an exciting occasion.

They have various off-field issues they are dealing with a potential points deduction as a penalty for breaking profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

For tomorrow, Shrewsbury fans can look forward to seeing Luca Hoole for the first time. The 22-year-old arrived earlier this week after a compensation package was agreed between Salop and his former club Bristol Rovers.

He is an athletic right-back who said himself when interviewed by the club’s media team that he likes to get forward. He is one worth keeping an eye on throughout the course of the campaign and he could be the type of player Town have been crying out for in that position for some time.

Unless they decide to get another right-back in between now and the end of the transfer window you would expect him to be Hurst’s first choice.

Tommi O’Reilly did not feature at Brackley last week. He is expected to play here. He had not long joined up with his new team-mates seven days ago and so the game just arrived a little bit too soon for him to be involved.

He is highly thought of by Aston Villa and is someone Town were really pleased about getting over the line.

Joe Young, who spent 14 years at Wolves, played in goal for Shrews last week and is on trial. Who plays in between posts tomorrow is another question.

Toby Savin is the number one, but he was missing last week. Boss Hurst will be interviewed post-match and hopefully, there will be some answers on when he is likely to feature and to clear up what is wrong with Aaron Pierre and Morgan Feeney – neither of those were involved last weekend either.

The picture is still unclear at Town as their squad is starting to take shape – these games are a good chance to see what prospects this team has.