Deadleg keeps Hall out of reserves opener
Midfielder Asa Hall misses out on the chance to enhance his first team claims when Shrewsbury Town's reserve side open their Central League campaign against Oldham Athletic at the Greenhous Meadow today (2pm).
The former Oxford United man, who has come off the bench in all four first team games this season, is ruled out of the clash against Oldham's second string owing to a dead leg.
"He should be fit for the weekend," said Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner. "It's one of those that can be painful for several days after the event but he'll be okay by the weekend."
Town field a strong side this afternoon with the message from the boss that, despite a promising start to the season, first team places remain up for grabs.
"We've got one or two lads who feel that they should be pressing for a first team place," he said. "People like Jon Taylor, Tom Bradshaw, Connor Goldson, the younger ones, have all played in the first team last season.
"You've got more senior ones with Reuben in there, Joe Jacobson, Joe Anyon, all these players that are pushing for a place so it will be an interesting game to watch."
Today's clash sees Town's reserve team return to a competitive reserve league for the first time in more than a year, although Graham stressed he was disappointed that, unlike this afternoon, many of the games Shrewsbury's reserves will play this term will not be staged on first team grounds.
He said: "It's obviously on the big pitch today and we're disappointed with the league that most of the games we play in the reserves will be on training grounds or small non-league grounds.
"It's a good opportunity today for one or two to get good match time in. As a first team, we've started the season reasonably well in terms of performances but nonetheless I think some players can just give us a reminder that they should be in the team.
"It's a good opportunity for them to play against decent opposition on a good surface in a decent stadium."
Admission to today's game is £3 adults and £1 concessions while it's free for season ticket holders, Sovereign Club members and Super Blues members.