Wrexham v Shrewsbury - Match preview

You would have to go back to April 2008 for the last time the two sides met outside of a cup competition, and you would need to go even further back to November 2007 for the last time they played each other at the Racecourse Ground.

Shrewsbury were the winners on that occasion as Michael Symes scored the games decisive goal in a 1-0 victory.

The game has huge significance to the Salop fans, who would have been disappointed to see their side lose at home to the Red Dragons earlier this year in the FA Cup.

Another 1-0 scoreline, with Thomas O’Connor getting the winner in the 72nd minute.

It will be the first time Paul Hurst will come up against Wrexham as Town boss, too, but it will not be lost on him how important this game is to the fanbase. There was huge relief last weekend when they finally kicked off their campaign with a vital 3-0 win against Leyton Orient.

They will want to build on that, though, against Phil Parkinson’s side, who are unbeaten in league action so far this season.

Sadly for Town, they will be without two members of their squad. Luca Hoole has been called up to play for Wales Under-21s, while Aaron Pierre has been selected to represent Grenada.

That leaves Hurst with a real conundrum at the back. Josh Feeney is still out with a hamstring injury, and so Town have only got two fit centre-backs to choose from and no right-back.

Morgan Feeney played at right-back when Hurst was first appointed as boss, but he will have to play at the heart of defence this weekend in the absence of any other options.

Carl Winchester has a hamstring injury, he did not feature against Leyton Orient last weekend – but his injury is not thought to be overly serious.

He has covered at right-back and right wing-back so he may be able to fill in if he is fit enough.

Not many of the Town players will have participated in a Shrewsbury versus Wrexham derby. Only Morgan Feeney, Taylor Perry and Jordan Shipley played in the game earlier in the year.

But new recruit Leo Castledine says Salop will not struggled to get up for the battle.

“We know they’ve just come up and they’re a big team that have put in some big performances,” Castledine said speaking to the Shropshire Star.

“Especially with it being a local derby the team aren’t going to struggle to get up for it, it’s just about what happens on the day.”

Last weekend was a step in the right direction, but a win against Wrexham not only would be most welcome, but it would also give a major boost to the Shrews fanbase.

With the noise around Wrexham, Town would love to get one over on them.