Shrewsbury Town boss Graham Turner pays tribute to Jim Bentley

Experienced Shrewsbury Town boss Graham Turner today paid tribute to one of his newest fellow managers – hailing Jim Bentley's Morecambe as League Two's "surprise package".

Morecambe arrive at the Greenhous Meadow tomorrow still unbeaten on their travels so far this season, having made a mockery of their pre-season status as the third favourites for relegation.

And Turner believes former Telford defender Bentley, 35, can take the bulk of the credit, having made a terrific start to life in the managerial hotseat.

"They have a new manager to the scene in Jim Bentley," said Turner.

"He has been there many years as a player. I have known Jim for a long time and have a high regard for him.

"He has done a terrific job in the opening weeks of the season.

"They are the surprise packages to some extent – along with Cheltenham – but we have to be ready for it."

Shrewsbury go into the game with confidence levels soaring after their astonishing 7-2 victory away at Northampton Town last weekend.

But down-to-earth chief Turner is refusing to get carried away by that result and has backed his players to show the correct application against Morecambe.

"They are sensible enough to understand the circumstances we now face," he said.

"Morecambe are unbeaten away from home so it's a good game to go into after the enjoyment of last weekend.

"They will know the importance of Morecambe and the difficulty of the game because of their record away from home so we will be ready for it."

Right-back Carl Regan could come into contention tomorrow, having recovered from a hamstring injury.

But West Brom loan man James Hurst, who made his debut in the rout of the Cobblers, is the strong favourite to get the nod.

Midfielder James Wallace serves the last of a three-game ban, the Everton loanee having been sent off just 20 minutes into his Town debut at Dagenham earlier this month.