Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst hoping for busy end to the transfer window

Hurst is eager to ensure promotion-chasing Town are in the best possible shape for what promises to be a gruelling run-in League One and wants at least one signing before Wednesday’s deadline.

Sheffield United winger Nathan Thomas is a prime target and discussions have taken place between the two clubs over a potential deal.

But a number of other players are also under consideration with Hurst keen to beef-up the numbers and ensure he ends the campaign with no regrets.

“If we miss out, I want it to be through bad luck or not quite good enough,” he said. “I don’t want to look back thinking: ‘I wish we could have signed that extra player’.

He continued: “It becomes a game of chess. You always have back-ups. Sometimes the list starts to diminish. It is not one or two targets.

“In terms of preference, there is an order. But you can only wait so long. I think we definitely need a body, if not a couple. We might have to look further down that list to ensure we have a big enough squad.

“If you look at someone’s bench, it gives you an indication of how strong they are. We have looked at the bench of a few clubs who are right there and wondered how players can be there.

“No disrespect to our bench. We are lucky, we have not got injuries. But we know that can change.”