Paul Hurst optimistic of double Shrewsbury Town swoop

Seven have already arrived through the door at the Meadow but the Town chief is showing no signs of letting up as he puts his stamp on Shrewsbury’s set-up.

The boss is keen to secure up to a dozen fresh faces this summer, with those not in his first-team plans heading in the opposite direction.

Hurst’s squad remains light on strikers, with two targets identified in that department.

“I’m hopeful on a couple of signings but until you get the signature and it’s absolutely done you’re always wary,” said Hurst.

“The players may go for a run themselves and twist his ankle or pick up an injury at their club.

“You’re always cautious on getting too excited and putting initials down on the training plan.

“I do have two I’m hopeful of for next week. But we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed nothing changes. On a couple of others, things might be getting somewhere but having quite come close to fruition yet.

“There’s still work to be done, but I’m relatively pleased with how things are shaping up.”

Town are not interested in Chesterfield forward Kristian Dennis, who was previously rumoured to be a target.

Hurst is leading his charges into the first of this summer’s friendlies today, taking on Ebbsfleet at a stadium in Portugal some half hour from their training camp.

He will use an experimental squad, with most players featuring for no more than 45 minutes after a demanding week of three sessions a day in the extreme heat.

Goalkeeper Shaun Rowley will be absent. He suffered a knee injury after landing awkwardly in training and will be sent for a scan early next week on their return to England. Norwich loanee Ebou Adams and fellow summer signing Jon Nolan also sustained knocks in the week but may still play a part today.

Town have been drawn in Group E of the Checkatrade Trophy alongside Walsall, Coventry and a category A team.