Shrewsbury Town midfielder Bryn Morris eager to prove Walsall wrong

The Shrewsbury midfielder played a paltry two minutes of football for the Saddlers during a loan spell from Middlesbrough last year that never took off, writes Lewis Cox.

His loan deal at the Banks's was the final of four stints away from his parent club but the youngster found it difficult adapting during spells away from Teesside.

Former Walsall boss Sean O'Driscoll was England Under-19s chief when Morris wore the Young Lions captain's armband. An accolade that suggests the 20-year-old grew up with some ability and pedigree.

Morris is craving the opportunity to get one over on the side that didn't give him in a chance to showcase his talents.

And perhaps, after his eye-catching display in the victory over Rochdale last week, where he was awarded man of the match – he's in the form to show Town's rivals a thing or two as well as help his current club's survival bid.

"I only came on once there," Morris reflected. "I'll be going out, on a personal not, looking to show them what they missed out on.

"That gives me even more drive and it'll be a massive game. We want to get the three points.

"I can't remember how long I had there to be honest but there was only one cameo coming on. It's going to drive me on to show them what they missed."

Ex-Banks's boss O'Driscoll signed Morris and described the exciting Boro prospect, who'd previously had loans at Burton, Coventry and York as 'probably not the most technically gifted player in the under-19s squad because we had some outstanding ones, but he was definitely the captain. He was the one who pulled it all together.'

Shrews chief Paul Hurst was delighted to capture Morris on a permanent contract in January until the end of the current campaign.

He has confirmed that the ball-winning and ball-playing midfielder is effectively playing for his future – be it with Shrews or a side further up the pyramid. Town fans have seen glimpses of the midfielder's ability on the ball, he was impressive in last month's draw at Chesterfield and sprayed the play stylishly last time out against Rochdale along with some deft touches.

Hurst suggested that the sluggish start to Morris's Meadow career was down to adapting to life after Boro – the club he joined as an 11-year-old.

But after learning how to put his foot in and mix it with the midfield battlers of League One, he is looking more and more at home.

Morris's 10 appearances for Town already register as more than that he was able to collect in any previous loan spell and that tells its own story.

"Maybe I was (putting pressure on myself), I'm not sure," he added. "I just wanted to impress. Also it's getting used to the style of play.

"Sometimes you've got to play ugly, put it in behind to get the knock-downs. I'm adapting all of the time. I'm having to work on that side of my game (tackling). I'm adapting more."

There is little doubt that the ex-England prospect is thriving under Hurst's guidance and, should Town put a deal on the table, Morris will be ready.

"On a personal note, I just want to earn a new contract. So I'll be going out every game and giving it my all," he added. "It could bring extra pressure not knowing where I'll be next year but I'm just looking to get out there and get three points."