Shane Cansdell-Sherriff gets set for career high

Shrewsbury Town's expectant Aussie Shane Cansdell-Sherriff insists achieving promotion on Saturday would eclipse his Olympic dream.

But the defender's hopes of being roared on by members of his immediate family from Down Under has been dashed after red tape delayed their proposed trip to England.

Cansdell-Sherriff's mother Diane, sister Karen, brother-in-law Gary and five nephews and nieces were due to arrive last week for a three-week break.

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They were hoping to take in Saturday's potential promotion-clincher against Dagenham & Redbridge but have seen their trip delayed and will now not fly in until next Tuesday.

And Cansdell-Sherriff admitted there is an air of disappointment that his family will miss out witnessing what could prove a landmark day in his career.

"All the family in Australia are aware of the situation and are all excited because they know I've been here four years trying to help us achieve this," said the 29-year-old from Sydney.

"A lot of the family would have been here last week but there has been a delay due to a passport issue.

"I'm gutted for them because I know what it would have meant for them to be here on Saturday.

"But these things happen and hopefully when they arrive in England on Tuesday we will be in League One.

"We have worked hard to put ourselves in this position and we have to make sure we finish the job off now."

Cansdell-Sherriff's previous career highlight was being part of the Australian squad which reached the quarter-finals of the 2004 Olympics in Athens before being beaten by Iraq.

But he insisted that achivement would be bettered by reaching League One with the club he joined from Tranmere in 2008.

"To be part of a team that got to the quarter-finals of the Olympics was fantastic," added the centre half.

"But I feel more involved in this project.

"I know how much it means to the fans and the people who work at the club.

"I've not won anything since I have come over here so this would be one of the biggest things in my football career – if not the biggest."

See also:

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• Terry Gornell: Let’s grab glory at home

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