Canoville axed before play-offs

Manager Gary Peters revealed he had decided not to retain the Boston defender - who was on loan at Gay Meadow until the end of the season - for the 2007-8 campaign.

And, with the Dons hopeful of securing the right back on a two-year-deal, Peters elected to release Canoville ahead of next week's crucial play-off double header.

"Martin Allen said to us a few weeks ago that he was keen on Lee and that he was offering him a two-year deal," said Peters.

"He said that to us early in proceedings so it's nothing to do with him not wanting to face Lee because we didn't know we would be playing MK Dons back then.

"Lee said he hasn't signed the contract which I believe - but we had already decided not to keep him for next year anyway. He's good going forward but I have a few concerns about him defensively.

"There's not much point us holding on to Lee and getting him fit if we are not going to keep him for next season anyway.

"We can't afford anything to come out about our planning for the MK Dons games and Lee's a nice lad so I don't want to put him in a compromising position."

The 26-year-old's impact at Shrewsbury has been restricted to just six first team starts due to injury.

The fact Peters is prepared to release Canoville suggests Danny Hall and Ben Herd are both closing in on a return from injury to bolster the right-back department, with Luke Jones currently occupying the position.

Town will carry the tag of underdogs into the League Two play-offs - and Peters couldn't be happier.

Town are the outsiders of the four teams vying to end their season in style with promotion to League One over the next three weeks.

Shrewsbury are rated as 3-1 chances with Bet 365 - with their semi-final rivals MK Dons favourites to go up at 12-5.

But Peters is happy to see the bookmakers playing down his team's chances.

"From the moment I walked in the club and we beat Swansea who were the League leaders in my first match, we seem to have done better as underdogs," said the Town chief.

"There has been times, especially last season and even this season with the games against Wrexham and Bury, where we have been hot favourites and we have not done great.

"It's right and proper that we are in the underdogs position because we have got the least points and finished in seventh position.

"But it's certainly not a negative and the players should thrive on that. MK Dons finished 13 points ahead of us but they don't get a five goal headstart or anything like that.

"All four teams start from a level playing field in the play-offs."

From a personal perspective, Peters is hoping to make it third time lucky in the end of season lottery.

By James Garrison