Injured Nicky Wroe hopes for quick Shrewsbury Town return

Midfield general Nicky Wroe believes he can defy the medics and make a rapid return to Shrewsbury Town's promotion push.

Wroe was initially ruled out for eight weeks after suffering a foot injury in last Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Bradford.

Those estimates were halved when fears that the second and third metatarsals were broken for the 26-year-old were proved unfounded.

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But first team regular Wroe said: "I'm hoping to be back sooner than four weeks.

"I was really down at the start of the week but to find out there was no structural damage and nothing was broken was a big boost.

"I'm hoping the injury will settle down next week and I will know more but it seems to be progressing well so far.

"It swelled up quite badly but it has come down quite a lot as the week has gone on.

"I still can't get a shoe on so I will keep it in a (protective) boot over the weekend and see where we are on Monday.

"It couldn't have happened at a worse time because, with the club not having an FA Cup run for quite a while, I was looking forward to the game at Middlesbrough this afternoon and it's also a time when we need to really establish ourselves at the top of the table."

Meanwhile, highly rated youth team goalkeeper Callum Burton has the opportunity of following in the footsteps of Joe Hart after moving a step closer to international recognition.

The 15-year-old, a pupil at Newport's Adams Grammar School, will attend an England under 16 training camp next Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I think it's to do with next season's Victory Shield," said goalkeeping coach Gavin Ward.

"He's doing well and he's got a lot of good attributes.

"Being in the environment he is now, working with the pros on a Thursday or whenever he can, and having also been involved in the youth team set up has been brilliant."

See also:

• Shrewsbury Town out to follow Burton example on first trip to Riverside

• Graham Turner targets a Shrewsbury Town FA?Cup upset