Lenell John-Lewis ready to deliver for Shrewsbury Town

The 29-year-old is in line for just a fourth start of the season tonight against Micky Mellon’s Tranmere Rovers in the competition that took Town to Wembley last season.

John-Lewis insists he feels in fantastic shape and, while the competition generally means a rotated team and lower attendances, he will go into the game with the focus of a League One match as he aims to catch boss John Askey’s eye. The former Grimsby frontman has already started three times in the league this season. He failed to start a single league game last term, making 37 appearances from the bench.

“Last year it was getting up to fitness and this year I feel fantastic,” said John-Lewis, who has scored once for Askey’s first team this season.

“For me it’s getting on the pitch as much as possible and showing what I can do.

“To not be playing is tough but I’ve been in the game long enough to have a strong head on how to manage that and know that, when I get the chance, to do as well as I can.

“I know it’s about working hard for when the chance comes. You never know when it can come, you might think you’re not playing and then something happens – illness or something – and you’re in the starting line-up. You always have to be ready.”

John-Lewis scored a screamer in last week’s Central League Cup against a youthful Bristol Rovers side as Town won 3-0. The striker knows the cup competitions are a chance to work himself into Askey’s thoughts for a league game.

“Even in the Central game the other day, there wasn’t many people there but it’s our chance to make our stand,” he added.

“Tonight’s no different, all the lads playing will be doing their best.

“One hundred per cent we’ve got to approach it like a league game. You never know what the gaffer’s thinking.

“If something happens and he does need to make a change (on Saturday), if you’re the one that’s shone on the Tuesday then you can go in.”

Askey is expected to play a much-changed side to the one that beat Accrington Stanley 1-0 on Saturday.

The boss has a big squad to chose from and is keen to give minutes to players who have not featured often.

John-Lewis added: “

We won Saturday and if we can win tonight then we can keep it going – it definitely helps.”