All players have dreams – Shrewsbury's Omar Beckles

The powerful defender, who joined last summer, played a big part in Town’s run to two Wembley finals last season.

And he believes the experience gained by Shrews stars bodes well for the forthcoming campaign under new boss John Askey.

Town lost Abu Ogogo, Alex Rodman and Junior Brown earlier in the summer and, while speculation on the futures of Toto Nsiala and Jon Nolan has died down, Beckles understands the pull of players progressing.

“You always want to be building on such a good season,” said Beckles, who filled in at left-back last season after Brown’s knee surgery.

“At the same time you have to take it with a pinch of salt because players have dreams and aspirations.

“I’m sure if the opportunity came some of the players’ way then they would jump at it to play in front of (more) fans and test themselves against (better) players.

“It’s a tough one, definitely, but at the same time if we can keep those players and build on last season then you can’t not be optimistic.

“I’m definitely optimistic with the season ahead.

“I feel like we’ve got some valuable, valuable experience with some of the lads that are still here. We’ve added some really good new additions.”

Askey’s Town are unbeaten in three pre-season games and Beckles, who has played in his natural centre-half position this summer, reckons building early momentum could serve the team well.

The 26-year-old added: “It’s obviously still early days in pre-season, we’ve just got to keep building momentum, we’ve got some really tough games.

“Hopefully we can build up that consistency and get some wins and clean sheets to take into the season.

“I’m feeling good. I still need that extra yard or two of sharpness or a bit more power. I’m feeling like I’m lacking a bit of that.

“But it comes with the games and the intensity of the training sessions.”