Shaw likely to add Salt to his starting line-up on Saturday

Gray’s loan deal expired on Monday, and while boss Mark Shaw expressed his gratitude to the burly defender, he lauded Salt for his efforts in training.

“We brought Mark and Jack Broadhead in during a bad injury crisis, and Mark did really well for us,” he said.

“But we want to work with the players who are going to be here long term, and it looks likely that there’ll be a return for Salty.”

“He’s worked hard in training, responded well to a bit of criticism from me about his fitness and really knuckled down to show he wants to play for this team.”

Shaw is calling on the entire squad to show the same desire, and a will to win, as they host an in-form Nantwich side on Saturday.

“They’re no mugs, their results show that, but it’s not about them, it’s about us.”

“We have to get back to showing the same desire we showed in November, when the players were coming in for criticism.”

“Last Saturday they showed a little bit that they thought they were going to go out and win because of league positions.”

The return of captain Leon Mettam to the squad, and his goalscoring appearance from the bench gave the whole club a boost, said the manager.

“He was a breath of fresh air for everyone, coming back.”

“We don’t rely on him but he scores important goals and I’m delighted with him.”