Graham Turner fancies Shrewsbury Town promotion chances

Shrewsbury Town boss Graham Turner today cast his experienced eye over the League Two promotion race and insisted: "We have got as good a chance as anybody."

Speaking ahead of tonight's crucial top-of-the-table home clash with Crawley in front of the Sky cameras, Turner has backed his side to last the pace in what appears a six-team battle for the three automatic promotion spots.

The weekend action has left Shrewsbury two points off the top three but they have games in hand on Cheltenham, Southend and Torquay.

"Tonight won't be easy," Turner conceded. "They are a good side otherwise they wouldn't be near the top of the table.

"I do think there are probably six good sides up there contesting it.

"I think it's a stronger League than last season and we are stronger than we were last season.

"Possibly Cheltenham and Torquay are the surprise packages.

"But I think we have got every bit as good a side, and every bit as good an opportunity, to get promotion this season as any of the others around us."

Turner is anxious to avoid any hangover from last week's defeat at Swindon in which Town felt they were denied a blatant penalty when they led 1-0.

"What we have got to do is make sure it doesn't affect us," added the Town boss of the 2-1 defeat.

"Sometimes when you have a major setback it can knock a side out of their stride for a short time and we can't afford to do that."

Shrewsbury, who could complete a calendar year without defeat in all competitions at the Greenhous Meadow tonight, are expected to name an unchanged side should Joe Jacobson be declared fit.

The left back, who has missed only one game since August 20, is a fitness concern after suffering a groin injury at Swindon.

Shane Cansdell-Sherriff stands by to deputise.

Meanwhile, loan striker Romaine Sawyers has extended his loan with Town until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old frontman has started one game since originally joining for an initial month at the end of January.

See also:

• Shrewsbury Town keeper Chris Neal in promotion vow

• Paul Simpson handed fresh start in Portugal

• Joe Jacobson hopes to win Shrewsbury Town fitness battle