Town get ready to unleash Tyrone Barnett

The frontman completed a deadline day move to Greenhous Meadow earlier this week agreed a six-figure fee with Peterborough.

Now Mellon is looking forward to seeing him in action when Shrewsbury take on Phil Brown's promotion-chasing Shrimpers tomorrow.

He said: "A few weeks ago, we heard of Tyrone Barnett's availability and, if I'm honest, I didn't feel we would be able to bring him in, because there was a lot of other interest in him.

"But as the transfer window got closer we decided to go for it and we got a good response from him. It means we have managed to get an 18-yard box monster into the squad and I'm delighted."

Mellon will have six first-team strikers to choose from once Andy Mangan returns from injury in four to six weeks' time.

And while he admits the strikers might not like the competition, the Town boss is enjoying the options.

He added: "I spoke to one of the strikers and said 'do you feel uncomfortable, angry and annoyed that I have brought another striker in?'

"He told me felt all of those things. I said: 'Good.' If we can create that all the way through the group it will be brilliant for the football club.

"I want players to know if they don't perform or if they don't score goals, then there is someone waiting to step in. It's healthy for the club and it's great for me."

Town tackle a Southend side who ran out 1-0 winners when the teams met in September, with Mellon saying: "They beat us last time, so we owe them one," said Mellon.

"That Southend game has been one that we have referred back to a lot of times. We're keen to show ourselves how much we've improved since the last time we played them."