Shrewsbury Town skipper impressed by loan ace Nicky Wroe

The centre-back, who was today set to lead the team at home against Sheffield United, has been impressed by both Wroe's skills and his temperament following the midfielder's arrival on loan from Preston North End last week.

The move, a one-month deal, marks Wroe's second spell at Shrewsbury having helped guide the team to promotion from League Two during his year-and-a-half stay at the Greenhous Meadow in 2011-12.

And Mkandawire said he has slotted seamlessly into a much-changed squad on his return to Shropshire.

He said: "I have been very impressed. He's good on the ball, he has a good engine, puts his foot in and he is very demanding of the players around him.

"He's a good pro as well and he is the kind of player and character that we want in the squad to give us a bit more experience and help the younger lads as well."

Wroe was brought in to bolster Town's midfield options after a groin injury temporarily sidelined Luke Summerfield and he played the full 90 minutes in Shrewsbury's 1-0 defeat at Brentford last weekend.

With Summerfield now fit again, boss Graham Turner has some healthy competition for positions in the middle of the park. Turner has also strengthened his attack in recent weeks with the arrivals of fellow loanees Cristian Lopez and Liam McAlinden from Huddersfield and Wolves respectively earlier last month.

But fellow striker John Marsden remains a little off the pace after spending a large part of the season sidelined with a broken foot.