Shrewsbury Town's Jon Taylor faces battle to regain first team place

The influential wideman, who has been sidelined for almost a month because of a knee injury, is expected to be back in contention for Saturday's League One clash against Walsall.

Taylor had made 17 appearances for Town this season prior to his injury, scoring two goals.

But Turner has been impressed with the recent form of fellow midfielders Adam Reach, who has netted twice in his last three matches, and Paul Parry.

And asked how important Taylor's return would be, he said: "We have got the two wide players who have been doing OK at the moment in Adam Reach and Paul Parry.

"Adam is getting among the goals while Paul's experience is invaluable for us right at the moment, so we have been in that luxury position where Jon hasn't been missed too much.

"But it will be nice to have him back and available. It gives us options even if it is only on the bench for the Walsall match."

Taylor returned to senior training on Monday and he moved a significant step closer to a first team return yesterday afternoon when he came though a 90-minute run-out in the reserve game at Wrexham.

Taylor produced a lively display in the game, which ended in a 0-0 draw, and he created a good chance for striker Tom Bradshaw to snatch the points with a free-kick late on.

The game also provided a useful 75-minute run-out for defender Jermaine Grandison, who is targeting a return to first-team action in January following surgery to remedy a hip problem.

But Turner fears midfielder Aaron Wildig will be out for another four to five weeks because of the knee injury he sustained against Notts County last month.

The former Wolves and Aston Villa manager has not ruled out the player returning to action over the festive period but he admitted that it was "unlikely".

Jack Gwilliams, currently sidelined with a knee problem, is another player who is working his way back to full fitness.