Shrewsbury Town vs Port Vale - Jack Hendry could make Shrewsbury bow

Jack Hendry could make his Shrewsbury debut after joining on loan from Wigan for the rest of the season.

Town have swooped after being left with only one fit centre-back - Nathaniel Knight-Percival - with Zak Whitbread and Jermaine Grandison still struggling with injury and Dom Smith away with Wales Under-21s.

James Wesolowski could also feature in the squad after making his playing return for the club's Under-21 side following a serious knee injury.

Boss Micky Mellon told the Shropshire Star: "Jermaine and Zak are touch and go and Dom is with Wales. So it's pretty much a necessity for the nine games left. He'll go into the squad, but we'll be fair with everyone."

Port Vale manager Rob Page will not push striker Ajay Leitch-Smith back into action as he feels it is too much of a risk.

The 26-year-old has missed the last three matches with a hamstring problem and while Page could play him if absolutely necessary, he will not take the chance of him being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Page was hoping to bring in an experienced forward on loan before the window closed but admits Louis Dodds can still do a job up front.

Defender Ryan Inniss will be involved in some capacity after fully recovering from a nasty fall a fortnight ago against Peterborough.