Town to play training game to increase fitness
Shrewsbury Town are set to play a behind closed doors friendly match against Walsall today.
The game is aimed at getting minutes into the legs of players that haven’t been involved much so far this season.
“All, apart from maybe one, that didn’t start at the weekend will be involved”, Paul told ShrewsWeb.
“We want to make sure they get there minutes. There’s been protocols put in place to try and keep them up to speed and not forgotten about in terms of minutes and fitness, so when they do go into the first-team they are ready.
“We understand that it’s important they get some proper minutes in their legs from playing a game because in pre-season they all get some game time and then the season starts and it becomes more difficult.
“So, we’ve arranged a game behind closed doors and the idea is for them to get ninety minutes, which will help them when they get there opportunity to start a first-team game.”
Town have decided not to take part in the Central Reserve League again this season, but Paul believes games like the one against Walsall will work well.
“We’ve decided not to enter the Reserve League because of travel and dates you then become tied to”, said Hurst.
“We want it to be very much as and when and we actually had three teams contract us about a game this week, so I think a lot of clubs are going down the same route and hopefully that bodes well in terms of getting games arranged when it suits.”
One of those who will feature is Joe Riley. Riley returned to full training 10 days ago and will get his first match action in four months.
“Joe will be involved”, Paul said.
“For me, it’s a great game for all the lads, but for someone like Joe, who hasn’t played in pre-season, it will be the first time he’s been involved in a game since the Oxford game at the end of last season, so it will be great for Joe to get back out there and show what he can do.”