Dave back in action against Oldham
Big defender Dave Winfield will make a welcome return from injury by playing 30 minutes for Shrewsbury Town's reserve team at home to Oldham Athletic in the Central League this afternoon (2pm).
The summer signing from Wycombe Wanderers had the misfortune to suffer a hamstring injury a few days before last month's League One opener against MK Dons.
But he has worked hard to return ahead of schedule and manager Graham Turner stressed he was looking forward to seeing him back in action.
"It's good news that Dave Winfield will play for half an hour," said GT. "He will start the game so the physio can control how long he's on there for. He can do a good warm up beforehand and make sure he's right.
"The plan is for him just to have 30 minutes and then come off so that's a step in the right direction.
"The discussion, if all goes well, is he could be considered for a place on the bench at Crawley on Saturday, but I think the medical people are reluctant to say he could start on Saturday because there's still the recovery time.
"He's done well to get fit again as quickly as this so that's the positive thing."
GT added the timing of Winfield's injury was particularly unfortunate for both club and player given he had featured in all the pre-season matches.
He said: "The timing of it was especially unfortunate, the Tuesday before the season was due to start, and the severity of it.
"It really was a bad pull of the hamstring muscle so he's had to suffer for six weeks now, but it will be nice to get him back and have him available for selection."
Winfield's return is a boost to the manager who expects to be without Tamik Mkandawire, another of his experienced central defenders, for at least the next two matches after he damaged the sheath of his hamstring in last Tuesday's JPT defeat against Oldham.
"I think Tamika's going to miss out the next couple of games at least, but there's the possibility of the Wolves match," he revealed.
"I think he'll miss Saturday at Crawley and probably next Tuesday at Bristol City, but we'll take stock of it."
Winfield will not be the only member of the first team squad in action today at the Greenhous Meadow.
"People like Joe Anyon will play, Alex McQuade, Dave McAllister, and one or two of the younger players," he added. "It will be an interesting test."
Admission to this afternoon's game is £3 adults and £1 concessions while season ticket holders, Sovereign Club members and Super Blues Club members will be admitted free.