Boss Micky Mellon blown over by Gayle force
Shrewsbury boss Micky Mellon has praised the reaction of wing-back Cameron Gayle after he returned to the starting line-up with an impressive showing against Luton.
The defender, who came though the youth ranks at West Bromwich Albion, made his first league appearance since October in Thursday night's live Sky game against the Hatters.
Gayle was part of a defence that helped Town secure a hard-fought point in the 0-0 draw. And Mellon was delighted with the 22-year-old who has found himself out of the side following the arrivals of Fulham loanees Jack Grimmer and Josh Passley.
"I thought Cameron was brilliant against Luton," Mellon said. "To come out and perform like that, I am absolutely delighted with him. I thought he was sensational. From the start he has shown a lot of composure and he has dug in. He was a part of a really solid and dogged defensive performance.
"He hasn't played for a while, but he has looked after himself. We told him to be game-ready for when the time did come and it is great credit to him that he performed so well."
After watching his side score just three times in their last seven matches, Mellon is also looking forward to having striker Andy Mangan back to full fitness.
The former Forest Green Rovers forward is a fan favourite at Greenhous Meadow, but has struggled over the past two months with a knee injury.
"He has got this niggling knee complaint so we really have to try and nurse him along," Mellon said. "He played for the reserves up at Liverpool, so he got that under his belt. We are trying to make sure we always have him available because this niggle can put him out. But we want him fully fit, he is an important part of the team here.
"He has got that turn of pace, he has the knack of getting on the end of things in the box and he is a good finisher."
Meanwhile, Shrewsbury are one of only 12 clubs in League One and Two to state categorically that they would not be interested in signing Ched Evans. The BBC contacted all 48 clubs for their stance over the convicted rapist, but 36 refused to comment or respond at all.
n Town defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival has missed out on the League Two player of the month award for December. He was one of four players nominated for the prize but former Wycombe Wanderers winger Paris Cowan-Hall, who earned a move to Championship side Millwall earlier this month, scooped the accolade.
