Tootle pushing for Shrewsbury Town return

The former Crewe full-back has been re-integrated back into the squad after an Achilles problem but hasn't played since the 2-0 defeat at Port Vale on October 31.

Boss Micky Mellon said 12 days ago that the 25-year-old was a week to 10 days away from contention and Tootle has come through two reserve matches in the last week, playing another 90 minutes in yesterday's 1-0 defeat away to Morecambe as a defensive midfielder.

"He (Tootle) is building on his fitness and getting games under his belt again and upping his training," said Mellon. "He played 90 minutes last Tuesday (for the reserves against Wigan) and again yesterday.

"He tired towards the end but he put in a really good shift, the same with Mickey Demetriou.

"He got no reaction from playing and it was quite a physical game against Wigan. And he got 90 minutes under his belt which was good."

Keeper Shaun Rowley and left back Mickey Demetriou were the only other first-team squad members who featured at the Globe Arena.

Meanwhile, Mellon insists every point is still vital to Town despite their climb away from the League One drop zone. Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Scunthorpe extended the gap to the relegation places to nine points with 10 games left.

Town are seven matches unbeaten in the league but seven of their last nine opponents after this weekend's trip to 15th-placed Bury are in the top half of the table.

And boss Mellon believes they need to keep scrapping in the battle to stay up.

"Saturday's point was a big result. Any results in this league you're made to work hard for," said the Town chief.

"I think that's something everybody's learned this season throughout the club, so every point at the minute is important and you've got to respect those points.

"We were disappointed with certain parts of Saturday's game but it's about improvement all the time.

"We had six lads playing who were under 23, so that tells you a story on its own."