Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst is confident Toto Nsiala will be OK after knee scare

Boss Paul Hurst admitted concern after discovering that Town’s key defender – the only player to have played every minute in League One this season – had a knee complaint.

But after being sent for a scan and coming through a fitness test before Town’s defeat at Blackburn last weekend, Hurst is confident that the Congolese defender will not be sidelined.

Nsiala played the entire game at Ewood Park after being put through his paces by physio Chris Skitt before an exhausting 120-minute outing at West Ham in the Cup on Tuesday.

“He’d just felt something with his knee prior to the Blackburn game,” Hurst said. “Actually I was driving home and I got a call saying his knee had swollen up.

“There was a genuine concern but he played at Blackburn and 120 minutes the other night and I don’t think anyone would say he was playing injured – he couldn’t have got away with that in either of those games.

“We’re confident that he’s going to be fine. There was a concern, if we need to manage anything (with it) going forward then we will, but fingers crossed it was just a scare rather than anything serious that will keep him out.”

Hurst managed the former Everton youngster, 25, at Grimsby before making him his first signing with Shrewsbury. And Nsiala has since become a firm favourite with the Montgomery Waters Meadow faithful.

“There’s no doubt he’s a big player for us,” Hurst added. “I think that, the rest of the staff and his team-mates think that – that’s always a good indication.

“His past is mentioned with some question marks. If people have been put off in the past because of that, I hope it continues! But that is not correct, certainly now, he’s a good character, person and importantly a good footballer.”

Meanwhile, Zak Jules has completed his move Port Vale on loan until the end of the season. The defender joined Town last summer from Reading and spent the early part of the season on loan with Chesterfield

Dean Henderson is on the shortlist for the Checkatrade Trophy player of the round. Fans have until 9am next Monday, January 22 to register their votes.

Town youngster George Hughes has joined Evo-stik North side Clitheroe on a month’s loan. Hughes was a sub in the Checkatrade game with West Brom.