Paul Hurst would welcome Shrewsbury Town return

Ricketts was axed by Town yesterday morning after a 2-2 draw at MK Dons left the club without a win in eight games and 23rd in League One.

The search for his successor is under way and former Montgomery Waters Meadow favourite Hurst, who is out of work, is thought to welcome the chance of taking over for a second time.

Hurst is believed to have some supporters among the Town hierarchy, but Shrewsbury will look elsewhere and assess all applicants before making a call.

It could also mean the likes of modern-day club heroes Danny Coyne, Chris Skitt and Mat Sadler return to Town.

It is understood progressive talks would be required for the return to happen, while Sadler is currently player-coach at Walsall, where he is a valued member of the first-team squad.

Hurst managed Shrewsbury between October 2016 and May 2018, sensationally leading the club to the League One play-off final, which they lost in extra time to Rotherham. That was a second Wembley trip of the season having also reached the EFL Trophy final.

But he left for Ipswich Town within 48 hours of the play-off final, leaving chief executive Brian Caldwell frustrated at the manner of his departure.

Speaking in November 2018, before Town appointed Ricketts, Caldwell said it was ‘too soon’ for Hurst – who has since managed Scunthorpe – to return, alleging the former boss had interviews with Ipswich before the play-off final.

There are parallels between when Hurst was appointed in 2016 to take over from a Micky Mellon side that were struggling in the League One drop zone.

Hurst helped steer the club through to survival that season before Salop shot to the summit of the division in the 2017/18 campaign.

Meanwhile, it is believed former Wigan and Portsmouth boss Paul Cook and ex-Barnsley chief Paul Heckingbottom are not interested in the role.