Jon Nolan can make the step up, says friend and Shrewsbury team-mate Shaun Whalley

The Merseysiders, two of Shrewsbury Town’s stars this season, are close acquaintances on and off the pitch.

Nolan has been linked with a host of clubs after some fine recent displays for Paul Hurst’s men, who visit Rochdale today having been knocked off the top of League One by Blackburn last night.

Whalley, who car shares with Nolan to and from Town’s training base at Sundorne, praised central midfielder Nolan for the way he has progressed through the football pyramid.

“I’m made up for him,” said 30-year-old Whalley. “He’s a brilliant player.

“He fully deserves all the acknowledgement that he’s getting because I know he’s done it the hard way from when he was young and has been up through the non-league.

“He has changed his attitude as well and got to where he belongs.

“He can go even higher without doubt but he’s just got to keep working hard and see where it takes him.”

Winger Whalley believes he and Nolan, 25, share a good relationship on the pitch – that has, at times, led to boss Hurst and assistant Chris Doig telling the pair to stop passing to each other.

They have netted 18 goals, and a number of assists, between them this season.

“It’s nice to see someone I’m close with doing well but then you get the gaffer and Doigy saying ‘stop passing to each other’,” Whalley smiled.

“I don’t know, with some players you can just see where they’re going to be at all times and are just easier to pass to and he finds it the same. He knows where I’m going to run and he can just find me (with a pass) inside or wherever.

“It is weird but it’s great to have someone with the ability of a Nolo on the ball and to know that if you make a run he’ll find you. “I honestly don’t know. Maybe we have the same outlook on football and try and play it the same way.”

“I like to come inside and get the ball, play little one-twos, he likes that as well. It’s good and it’s working so we’ll carry on.”