Young Brad Churchill has been backed to thrive in the pressure cooker atmosphere of a survival battle as he stands by for his league debut for Shrewsbury on Saturday.
Skipper Mattie Morris revealed Churchill, 18, is a likely starter for the Sundorne Castle men as they resume their fight to pull clear of the Midlands Three West (North) relegation zone at Old Saltleians.
“Brad’s likely to start either on the wing or in the centre and he’s very quick,” said Morris. “He’s done well in a couple of recent first team friendlies and I don’t think he will be overawed by being picked on Saturday.”
Shrewsbury have named a strong 19-man squad, with Sam Wycherley a fitness doubt after suffering an ankle injury in the friendly at Willenhall a fortnight ago.
Currently second bottom, Shrewsbury find themselves three points adrift of safety with only three games of a tough season remaining.
Morris hopes two wins – at Old Salts on Saturday and at home to basement boys Leek the following weekend – will be enough to clinch survival ahead of a tough final day trip to champions Camp Hill.
“The Old Salts and Leek games are ones we’ve earmarked for a long time as must-win games,” said Morris. “Old Salts are almost safe and the other relegation spot realistically is between ourselves, Wednesbury and Stafford.
“We’re all still confident we can get out of trouble and training’s been really good the last couple of weeks with the fitness of the players encouraging.”
SHREWSBURY 1st XV (from): N. Williams, N. Challinor, B. Jenkins, S. Crippen, G. Adams, S. Evitts, S. Wycherley, L. Mill, J. Plant, J. Pugh, M Morris, A. Swann, B. Churchill, J. Adams, W. Jones, D. Bradburne, S. Owen, D. Griffiths, S. Barnett.
Meanwhile, relegation-threatened Whitchurch will hope to boost their survival chances in Midlands Two West when they host basement boys Newbold on Saturday.