'Progressing well' - Shrewsbury Town injury boost as Hoole and Price near returns

Luca Hoole is making positive progress as he works towards his return for Shrewsbury Town following an ankle injury.

The defender has been sidelined in recent weeks after suffering a knock during Town’s opening pre-season friendly.

However, the 24-year-old was back on the pitch completing running and ball drills ahead of Salop’s draw with Hereford on Tuesday night, with hopes he can return in time for the start of the new competitive campaign.

Asked about Hoole’s recovery after the Hereford clash, boss Gavin Cowan said: “He’s progressing really well. I’m being told by the medical staff that he’ll be on the grass kicking footballs this week.

“So, yes, listen, we need to work hard to get him out on the pitch. So, I’m hoping we can do that as soon as possible.”

Hoole signed a new two-year contract this summer to remain at Shrewsbury after his previous deal expired. The defender was a key figure for Town last season, picking up several end-of-season awards for his performances.

Meanwhile, experienced midfielder Jack Price has missed Shrewsbury’s last two pre-season friendlies due to an inflamed heel caused by an infection.

Cowan is also encouraged by Price’s progress but admitted the club will need to be patient with his recovery.

Cowan added: “He’s really close. He’s had a lot of progress the last few days since we spoke.

“It’s just an infection, it’s hard to get it out of there. He had some ultrasound, he’s had some shockwave work.

“Yes, there’s just a little bit of a problem in there that, again, we just have to be patient with.

“It’s one of them - it’s not something that we can speed up. We’ve just got to wait for it to come good.”

Young forward Jay Snook has also missed recent fixtures after feeling tightness in his hamstring during Salop’s clash with Everton Under-21s.

The third-year scholar was also involved in pre-match warm-ups at Hereford, completing running exercises as he continues his recovery.

Shrewsbury will welcome a young Aston Villa side to the Croud Meadow this weekend for their final pre-season fixture before the competitive campaign gets under way.