Shrewsbury Town's Ryan Woods keen for home victory over Rotherham

Woods, 20, was handed a surprise first ever senior start when Graham Turner's side travelled to the New York Stadium on August 24.

The former youth team player had learned his trade as a central midfielder but was handed a baptism of fire as makeshift right-back after the birth of Town skipper Tamika Mkandawire's daughter led to a defensive re-shuffle.

It should have been a daunting task for the diminutive Norton Canes-born player going up against one of League One's most direct sides.

But his fearless and composed display on that occasion, in a battling 2-2 draw, saw him retain his place in Turner's starting XI for the remainder of the campaign so far.

He has made 23 further appearances since then, and grabbed his first senior goal in last weekend's 3-2 defeat at MK Dons. But he admits that the chance to face Steve Evans' side again provides extra motivation.

Asked if he was keen to renew hostilities this weekend, he said: "Definitely. It was a special game for me last time.

"It was my first senior start and we played really well there. We can all take encouragement from that match for the home game against them this weekend and hopefully we will get more than just a point this time."

Town could certainly do with a precious victory this weekend as they have lost their last five home games on the spin.

Their away form, which saw them pick up seven points from a possible nine prior to last weekend had provided a glimmer of encouragement.

But following last Saturday's loss at MK Dons, which kept Town teetering on the brink of the League One relegation zone, he is adamant that a draw will not be acceptable against Rotherham this time around.

"We definitely need to get three points on Saturday," he said.

"The mood was a little bit down after MK Dons but we all need to stick together and keep working hard."

Woods was encouraged by Town's attacking display last week, which saw the team net more than once on the road for just the fourth time this season.

But he admitted that the team will have to show more aggression against the Millers and they will have to improve their defence against crosses, having shipped two goals from right-channel balls into the box last weekend.

He said: "In the first half we gave MK Dons a little bit too much respect. I thought we could have pushed on a bit more."

The match is likely to reunite Town striker Tom Eaves, who is currently on loan from Bolton Wanderers, with his former club.

Eaves spent a frustrating two-month loan spell at the New York Stadium earlier this season.

He was used largely as a substitute, making just two starts in nine games and scoring once. The 22-year old has since started all eight of his games for Town but has not netted since his first in that run, a 3-1 win at Stevenage.

Rotherham will include a familiar face in their line-up in defender James Tavernier.

The Newcastle loanee joined Shrewsbury at the start of the season, but played just two games before a fractured foot injury sent him back to the North East prematurely.

He has since been loaned out to Rotherham though and is likely to start against Town tomorrow.