Shrewsbury Town's comeback trio make case for defence

Promotion-chasing Shrewsbury Town were today handed a triple defensive fitness boost.

Centre-back duo Reuben Hazell and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff both continued their return from injuries by playing the full game in yesterday's 2-0 behind-closed-doors friendly with Crewe.

And consistent left-back Joe Jacobson could be on course to be back available for Saturday's visit of Burton.

Hazell took a giant step on his comeback trail after almost six months out with a serious knee injury suffered against Torquay in September. And he reported no ill-effects today after coming through the 90 minutes against Crewe.

"I'm delighted," said the former Oldham skipper. "I had been training for six weeks so I was long overdue a game.

"It was only in the last 10 minutes I started to feel a bit tired and I've woke up this morning and the knee feels fine.

"If I was called upon (for first-team duty) in the next week or so, I would be ready to go."

Cansdell-Sherriff also got another 90 minutes his belt as he strives for match sharpness following a three- week absence with a shoulder problem.

Nicky Wroe saw a penalty saved in the defeat on a day when Terry Gornell, Romaine Sawyers and Tom Bradshaw were also given a run-out.

"There looked to be a bit of rustiness about some of the players that were in desperate need of a match," he said

"We had a side which will provide some of the players that will be needed between now and the end of the season and we have another friendly scheduled at Birmingham's training ground next week."

Jacobson continues to progress well from a groin problem and Turner rates the former Accrington man as having an "outside chance" of being fit for selection for the Burton clash.

Striker Marvin Morgan limped off when substituted in the closing stages of Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Oxford but the Town staff are hopeful it won't be too serious.

"It was a bit of a hamstring problem but it looks as though he was just cramping up a little bit after one long sprint he made," added Turner.

"What we feared was a little bit of a pull could turn out to be a lot better than we expected."

See also:

• Shrewsbury Town 2 Oxford 2 – Match analysis
• Matt Richards: Goal can drive Shrewsbury Town on
• Graham Turner warns clubs to live within means