Luke Summerfield confident Shrewsbury Town can escape drop
Shrewsbury midfielder Luke Summerfield says Saturday's 'soul-destroying' defeat to Tranmere cast a black cloud on his long-awaited return to action.
Summerfield was handed his first match action for Town since February 1, and his first start since New Year's Day, after shaking off a troublesome thigh injury.
And while the talented playmaker was pleased to be back on the pitch, defeat in a vital League One relegation battle overshadowed any personal satisfaction.
He said: "It is great to be back but I haven't come back to be on the losing team.
"It's a bit soul destroying. No way is easy to lose a game, but that was one of the hardest ways to lose. We played well in bits and pieces in the first half and very well in bits and pieces in the second. We did well to get the goal back and it looked like we were going to go on and win the game."
Summerfield admitted he had not expected to play the entire game and thanked the club's medical staff.
He said: "I have surpassed my own expectations but it's all down to the work the boys had done for me behind the scenes.
"It's a massive positive for me on a personal note but at the end of the day the game is not about personal things We are here as a group and a club and we have come away with nothing."
Despite the defeat, Summerfield insisted the players remain confident they can escape relegation.
He said: "We are all very positive in the changing room. We still know we have got enough ability and leadership to stay up."
Summerfield also thanked Town's superb travelling contingent after almost 900 fans made the trip.
And he called upon the Greenhous Meadow faithful to continue their backing when Town host Crewe on Friday.
He said: "It's a shame for them the way the game ended. All the boys know we have got great support away from home and we will look for massive support on Friday to get us three points."
