Luke Rodgers challenged to earn new Shrewsbury town deal
Luke Rodgers has been challenged to earn a long-term deal at the Greenhous Meadow after sealing a nostalgic return to Shrewsbury Town.
The 30-year-old striker, who was expected to kick off his second spell with Town at Leyton Orient today, admits he had little hesitation agreeing an initial one-month loan with the club he started off with as a teenage trainee.
After spells with New York Red Bulls and Lillestrom, Rodgers has been on cash-strapped Portsmouth's books since August.
But his move back to Shropshire will be converted into a permanent contract until the end of the season when the transfer window reopens in January.
"I've always had something about Shrewsbury – even when I was in New York I looked back and checked their results. There was always something special about the club," said the frontman.
"There were a few interested in me but for me it was a no-brainer – I wanted to come back. I felt I did well for Portsmouth but unluckily I got injured and I was out of favour.
"People do say 'don't ever go back', but what's the worst that can happen?"
Boss Graham Turner is confident he has improved his striking choices with Rodgers offering pace and a predatory instinct sadly lacking in recent games.
"We've got alternatives now which you need with strikers," said Turner.
"His contract will just be to the end of the season. He's got to to look to the future and if he does well it might well be here.
"I'd love him to be in a position to come knocking on my door asking for a new contract."
