James Wallace rejoins Shrewsbury on loan

The 24-year-old spent two months with Town at the end of 2011, although he was sent off on his debut at Dagenham & Redbridge after just 25 minutes.

He only made three appearances on loan from Everton but has been borrowed again, this time from faltering League One rivals Sheffield United.

He played in the Europa League while with the Toffees and was also loaned to Bury, Stockport, Stevenage and Tranmere Rovers before he was sold in 2012.

Rovers paid an undisclosed fee to bring him back permanently and he spent two years at Prenton Park, captaining the side before joining United when his contract expired.

He's made eight appearances for the Blades this season but, with chances limited at Bramall Lane, is happy to go out and get some games under his belt.

He said: "I'm delighted to be back. It was an easy decision. It's a good club and there's good people here.

"I've got more experience now. I was only a youth team player when I came to Shrewsbury from Everton. I've learned League One a lot more. It's a lot more physical than when I was younger.

"Micky Mellon (Town boss) has given me the chance to come and play football, which I was delighted with.

"Sheffield United have got 42 pro players on their books and it didn't look like I was getting into their team.

"I had a few little injuries but I've been fit for four or five months and training every day, I just wasn't getting game time. I was playing reserve team football, which isn't like first-team football."

Mellon thinks his newest addition will bring legs in the middle of the park, with Wallace training with the squad this morning.

The Town boss said: "James certainly has that in abundance. He's a lad I've been very aware of over the years and, when the opportunity came, we believed we could get him in.

"He fitted the mould of what we want in order to give ourselves a chance of winning games in this league.

"He's had some great experience at Tranmere and Sheffield United and he's a lad that's hungry to come here and do well.

"He's desperate to get going and I think it's a fantastic acquisition for the football club. He'll be great in and around the place and he's a lad with great ability.

"He looks in great shape along with the other lads. I felt that we've been outrun too many times in midfield in too many games.

"We needed to bring in people who could match opponents in that area of the pitch."

Meanwhile, Town midfielder Darren McKnight has left the club after it was mutually agreed that his contract would be cancelled.

The Northern Ireland Under-21 international's deal was due to expire at the end of the season. He didn't make a first-team appearance.