Gareth Ainsworth addresses interest in Shrewsbury Town's Tom Bloxham

The Shropshire Star revealed on Monday evening their League One rivals Blackpool are interested in securing the youngster's signature. 

Town hold all the aces if a deal were to be done with the Tangerines, as the 21-year-old still has six months left on his current deal, and the club have an option of a further year in their favour. 

Salop head coach Ainsworth was asked about the reports in his press conference before Town's game with Wrexham on Thursday evening.

"I think that if people were not interested in Tom Bloxham, then I would be surprised," he said. "He has done really well over the years he has been here. 

"He is a threat. He is a quick player and a ball carrier, and they are things that I love in my team. 

"I am sure it is probably not just Blackpool that are interested in him - that's the reports coming out at the moment. 

"Again, we will see where that one goes, Tom has done really well for me, and I rate him as a player."

When the boss was asked if he is a player the club would ideally keep as they try to get themselves out of trouble at the bottom of the League One table, he said: "There is a board here, and a group decision of what it would take to get Tom out of here or to get him to stay. 

"Those things are down the line. There is just interest at the moment, but we will see where that goes, Tom has done really well for me, and I am not surprised there is interest in him. 

"This is football. I have been through it many many times. I have been the subject of it myself. Transfer rumours, those were days were great. 

"I understand what the players are going through. I also understand what the fans are going through and what the board and the chairman will be going through making decisions on what is best for Shrewsbury Town. 

"As I say, it is really tough because we are a club that is one of the small ones in League One - everyone knows that. It is no breaking news. 

"If bigger clubs start being interested in your players, it is always worrying as a manager, but as I say, it is football, it is what happens. What I will concentrate on is the players here, especially for that Wrexham game on Thursday and getting the best out of them. That is my job."

The Salop head coach was asked if Town had received an offer for their academy graduate - but the boss was reluctant to comment. 

"I am not going to disclose anything like that," he said. "The rumours are out there, and it would be remiss of me to start stirring or inflaming those rumours anymore."