Shrewsbury forward desperate to make impact

His time at Shrewsbury has involved loan spells with Gillingham and Sutton United but now he is back in Shropshire he is eager to make an impression before the end of the season.

“On a personal note this is a mini-season for me,” O’Brien said. “To cram in as many good performances, as many goals, assists and wins as I can. To repay the fans, you guys, the staff, and the players as much as I can.

“I have been absent. Whether it is down to my doing, or whether it is down to someone else, who knows? But I have been absent and I want to repay everyone in the football club as much as I can in these games.”

And when asked by the Shropshire Star to assess his time in Shropshire the former Sunderland man said it has been a ‘tricky period’.

“I would assess it as a bit disappointing, to be honest,” he said.

“I came here with a positive mind frame to score as many goals and to try and fire Shrewsbury up the league as best as I can.

“And for many reasons that did not happen, for off-the-field reasons.

“I am not one to have many issues off the field. I have never really had any issues off the field throughout my career.

“So it was a bit of a tricky period for me mentally and trying to get through that with my family, but it happens in football. It happens all the time. I have got through that, we have spoken about it, and I have dusted myself down and we are moving on.

“We are men. If I was to change anything from my time here, it would be those scenarios off the field that took their toll on my time on the pitch.

“That is probably my only regret and disappointment.”

O’Brien made his second start in a Town shirt on Good Friday in their 1-1 draw with Oxford United and is set to be involved in their clash at Bristol Rovers today.

Salop are currently six points clear of the relegation places with the same amount of games still to play this season, but they need a result today after Cambridge, Cheltenham and Port Vale all secured vital wins on Friday.