Michael Appleton encouraged by "positive" talks over Shrewsbury future

The 49-year-old, who is the Shrews' third manager of the season after Paul Hurst and Gareth Ainsworth, recently announced his desire to extend his stay at the club beyond this summer.

Appleton has been in discussion with the Shrewsbury board over a permanent post at Croud Meadow, but does not expect an update to be announced until after the Easter weekend fixtures against Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town respectively.

"[The talks have been] really positive. It's one of those where I'm hoping that an agreement will happen over time," Appleton revealed.

"Whether it happens before the weekend is probably unlikely. Obviously I want to focus on the two games [against Wigan and Northampton] and be as prepared as I possibly can. 

"But no, it's been really positive. I'm enjoying my time here and I'm enjoying the interactions I've had with all my staff and the players so far. 

"And we seem to have had a good response from the fans which is the most important thing. 

"I'm very encouraged [by the talks] and hopefully we'll be able to give you some news after the Northampton game."

Shrewsbury could be relegated before they kick-off against Wigan Athletic at Croud Meadow on Good Friday if Burton Albion avoid defeat at Exeter City in the early game. 

But Appleton, who has picked up two points in his first five games at the helm, has been pleased with how the squad have taken his ideas on board and believes those signs bode well for the future. 

"I know how difficult it was to come in. For me to play the style and try to change the group's mentality to do that, be brave and give them freedom to express themselves a little bit. 

"It normally takes them a lot longer but I think the lads have taken that on board really and seemed to be thriving from it," he continued.

"I'm a big believer in setting an environment where players get an opportunity to express themselves and know that if they make a mistake then it isn't the end of the world. 

"They will get an opportunity to rectify that. If you want to get up the ladder and play high up the ladder, not just as an individual but as a football club. 

"If you've got aspirations at some point to be challenging at the top end of League One again, you have to play a certain brand of football with certain types of players to be able to do that."