Sean Parrish wary of Shrewsbury Town backlash

Shropshire favourite Sean Parrish admits he is wary of a Shrewsbury Town backlash this weekend - after his current club Northampton dismissed manager Ian Sampson.

Chirk-born Parrish, who began his football career with Town and had spells with the old and current Telford United, is currently head of youth at Northampton and also spends time working with the first team.

And those duties could conceivably grow ahead of Shrewsbury's visit to Sixfields on Saturday after the Cobblers sacked Sampson last night with the club lying 16th in League Two.

Malcolm Crosby, the man who guided Sunderland to the 1992 FA Cup final, has been placed in temporary charge - and whether Parrish will assist remains to be seen.

Parrish declined to discuss Sampson's dismissal and its implications, but admitted he was looking forward to Saturday's clash in which Shrewsbury will be seeking to issue a quick response to Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to Bury.

"It's a big game for both clubs," said 38-year-old Parrish today.

"We have drawn a lot of games lately and it's a case of trying to turn those into victories.

"I'm sure Shrewsbury would have been disappointed with the result on Tuesday night and I expect they will come out all guns blazing to try and put that result behind them."

While Parrish will be anxious for Northampton to put one over his old club on Saturday, he hopes Shrewsbury enjoy success in the long-term.

"It's the club where it started for me and I will always be grateful for that chance," he added.

"They have assembled a good squad and I expect them to be up there come May. Everything is in place for them to play at a higher level."

Meanwhile, young striker Tom Bradshaw stepped up his return from an ankle ligament problem with a run out in yesterday's 3-1 reserve team victory at Macclesfield.

He and fellow striker Nathan Elder continued along the road to recovery by playing 45 minutes each.

"It was great to be back because when I first did the injury, it looked like I would be out for six weeks," said Bradshaw. "It felt fine."

Dutchman Benjamin van den Broek, also continuing his return from injury, and young duo Ben Evans and Ryan Woods were on target.

By JAMES GARRISON