Town's loan players set to take backseat

Boss Paul Simpson could be set to ditch two of Shrewsbury Town's loan trio for Saturday's League Two clash at home to Morecambe.

The Town chief admits everyone at the club would be "kidding ourselves" to suggest they could still make the play-offs.

And, with little to play for, he accepts the loanees - goalkeeper Dave Button, defender Joe Skarz and striker Jamie Cureton - may have to take a back seat.

Button has been a regular since joining on a temporary basis from Tottenham Hotspur, but could make way for Chris Neal to stake a longer term claim.

Skarz has been a fixture at left-back with the previous incumbent Shane Cansdell-Sherriff switching to the middle of defence, while Cureton was dropped at Northampton last weekend.

"I have to make a decision about the loan players between now and Saturday," said Simpson.

"In the case of Joe Skarz, we don't have many left-back options so it may be he has to play.

"But in the case of the other ones, it could be that we decide that we go with the ones who are here longer term and are contracted for next season.

"That's maybe a little unfair on the loan players who have done well for us and deserve to play, but we have to do what is in the best interests of the club."

Meanwhile, Simpson revealed that Graham Coughlan, Craig Disley and Jake Robinson had all returned to training after lengthy injury absences.

But all three are unlikely to be able to play any part in Town's last two games.

"The important thing is that they are starting up their rehabilitation," said Simpson. "I'd hope all of them will be in a position to join in fully with pre-season training in the summer."

* Town were set to field a young side for today's final reserve game of the Totesport League central division away to Derby County.