Stevenage have acclimatised well to league football since their promotion in the summer.
Vital Quotes:
Defender Matt Sadler has pledged to break his league scoring duck to help Shrewsbury to earn promotion.
‘It’s not for the want of trying,’ he told BBC Radio Shropshire. ‘They go in during training, but I just don’t get many of those outside the box chances.’
Stevenage Team News:
Stevenage welcome back on-loan striker Chris Holroyd who was ineligible to play in the FA Cup last weekend.
Fellow striker Terry Dixon made his debut last week and should keep his place in the squad.
Player to watch: Chris Holroyd
24 year old Chris Holroyd started his career down the road at Crewe, spending 7 years at Gresty Road as a youth player before moving on to Chester City.
In August 2008, Holroyd signed for Conference side Cambridge United, scoring 10 goals in his first season.
He signed for Brighton early thsi year but was recently loaned out to Stevenage. Since then he has scored 5 goals in 8 games.
Shrewsbury Team News:
Ian Sharps is welcomed back into the fold for Shrewsbury’s clash at Stevenage but he faces a tough task dislodging the current central defensive partnership.
Sharps missed the 2-1 win at Crewe and their gallant late 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Southampton due to a hamstring injury but he cannot be assured of a starting return with loan signing Exodus Geohaghon forming an impressive partnership with Shane Cansdell-Sherriff.
Winger Lionel Ainsworth suffered a recurrence of his groin strain at St Mary’s last Saturday on his return from injury and will be assessed, although he is doubtful.
However, full-back Dave Raven (groin) and strikers Tom Bradshaw (ankle) and Kris Bright remain 10 days or so away from their returns.
Player to watch: Mat Sadler
Will he score?
Match Facts & Stats
Stevenage have only won twice at home this season.
Recent encounters between the teams:
2003/2004 Sat 17 Apr Shrewsbury Tn. 3 – 1 Stevenage B. CONF
2003/2004 Sat 01 Nov Stevenage B. 2-0 Shrewsbury Tn. CONF
Ref Watch:
Roger East – Wiltshire. Games this season: 12. Yellow Cards: 49. Red Cards: 1.
Match Prediction:
1-0 Town.
Next Fixtures:
Southend away next week.
