Mike Jackson hoping for Shrewsbury Town fitness boost
Mike Jackson today revealed hope of swift returns for injured pair Jermaine Grandison and Dave McAllister – as striker Nathaniel Mendez-Laing headed back to Peterborough.
The 21-year-old, who joined Town on loan last month, has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Crawley after struggling with a hamstring injury.
After seeing his side lose 1-0 to Walsall on Saturday, Jackson confirmed Mendez-Laing will return to Posh. But he revealed defender Grandison and midfielder McAllister – who both missed the defeat at the Banks's through injury – could both return in time for this weekend's crunch clash with fellow strugglers Stevenage at Greenhous Meadow.
"With Nathaniel it's just the case of the injuries," said Jackson. "We thank him for being here but we needed someone who is a bit fitter than him.
"We can't take the chance with people coming off with hamstrings. With Jermaine, we are hoping he will be back soon and Dave McAllister as well because we have missed him.
"Hopefully we can get them both back as early as next weekend.
"It's those little things. When it comes to putting fresh legs on the middle of the park that is where we have struggled."
Mendez-Laing's exit reduces the number of loan players at Town to six and eases one headache for Jackson, who is only allowed to name five in a match-day squad. There was no space on the bench on Saturday for rested striker Tom Eaves because of this rule, with Town only naming six substitutes.
Another loanee, Burnley full-back Joe Mills, also faces three games out after he was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Walsall's James Chambers. A fifth-minute Craig Westcarr goal was enough to see Town beaten.
