'Major surgery' required as Shrewsbury Town prepare for life in League Two

But the current Greenhous Meadow chief, whose deal at the managerial helm runs until the end of the season, has refused to be drawn on whether he will be the one to do the operating.

Town's return to League Two for next season was confirmed by Saturday's 4-2 home defeat to Peterborough United, which left them seven points from safety with a game to play.

And asked if 'major surgery' would be needed over the summer ahead of the new campaign, he said; "Yes I think so.

"That is my opinion anyway, definitely. I think you don't want too many players left from a relegation in the side moving forward.

"I think sometimes you just have to have a clean slate and bring the players in that you want to bring in that are going to have that bit of steel and that desire to work for the club, their team-mates and most of all each other."

He added: "League Two is very competitive. It's a different league to this altogether. That is where you need players that have played at the level.

"You also need some young players in among that and some young and hungry ones who want to improve themselves."

Jackson has begun preparations for next season, both in terms of working to identify new transfer targets and to retain existing players.

And asked on Saturday if he had been given any indication as to whether he will be the man entrusted with the job for next season, he said: "I think all that will come out in the next week or two.

"I don't think it is the time to talk about it now. What's just happened needs to be digested and we need to build – big time."

Jackson has made no secret of his desire to retain the manager's job at Town for next season and he insisted he has strong ideas about how the club should be developed in the long-term.

He said: "I don't just want to build a team. I want to build the club so it is sustainable moving right the way through.

"That doesn't mean throwing loads of money at it because that wont work long term.

"I am trying to build a structure that is sustainable and where we are bringing players through and we are nicking players at the right age and working with them and developing them."

Jackson also thanked the fans for their backing on Saturday, saying: "The fans are not daft. They know what has gone on and the vast majority have stuck here and clapped the players off which they had every right not to, to be honest."