Loan ranger Asa Hall is looking to build on his “dream start” for Shrewsbury Town as he prepares for Saturday’s trip to Grimsby – but remains uncertain where his long-term future lies.
The all-action midfielder, who has joined Town on loan for the rest of the season from Premier League Birmingham City, took just four minutes to find the net as he enjoyed a winning debut for the club against Morecambe last weekend.
Hall, capped by England at under-19 and 20 level, admits he is enjoying life at Oteley Road and has set his sights on helping Town climb the League Two table.
But, having had encouraging discussions with St Andrew’s manager Alex McCleish, Hall remains in the dark as to whether he has a future with Blues – his current contract expires in the summer – or if a potential permanent switch to Town is a possibility.
“I already feel at home at Shrewsbury and I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “There’s a good atmosphere at the club and I’m loving it.
“I don’t know what the future holds right now. I know that Alex McCleish is quite happy with me at the moment so I’ll just have to wait and see what happens in the summer.
“I’ve had quite a few meetings with him and he’s been really good with me. He’s had me training with the first team separately to the rest of the reserves group. I think he’s taken a shine to me and he seems a good manager.
“He thought coming here was a good move for me as he needed to watch me play in the league so I dare say he’ll have a few people watching the games at Shrewsbury.”
Midlander Hall, 21, has been highly rated as a goalscoring midfielder at Blues for several years but has been unable to force his way into their league side despite being the current leading marksman for their reserve team.
“There are probably about 10 midfielders trying to get into the first team – I’ve tried to get a few in training but didn’t quite manage it,” smiled Hall.
He is just pleased to have the chance to get some first team football under his belt, although he admits Town’s interest came as a pleasant surprise.
“I was due to sign for Bury on loan but when Chris Casper got sacked that stopped it straight away,” said Hall. “My agent then spoke to Shrewsbury and it went through really quickly.
“It was a dream start for me against Morecambe and I couldn’t have written it better. Hopefully I can get a few more goals for the club.
“And after Saturday’s performance I can’t see why we can’t continue to progress.”
While Hall is concentrating on his club career, he admits he would love to one day rekindle his international ambitions having been proud to represent England’s under-19 and 20 teams alongside Shrewsbury-born Preston defender Billy Jones.
“I would like to think I could maybe get back involved with England but it’s difficult at under-21 level because there are lots of good Premier League players to choose from, but you never know what can happen.”
Town also face an away game on Tuesday (7.45pm) when they travel to Valley Parade to take on a Bradford City side expected to include former Gay Meadow skipper Paul Evans.
l The funeral of former Town player Stephen Kemp, who played seven league games for the club in the 1973-74 season, was held this week at Oxon Church. Mr Kemp, 52, who was born in Shrewsbury, leaves a wife and six children.
l There’s international football at Town’s new stadium on Sunday morning (10.30am) when the England schools under-18 team take on Australia.