Shrewsbury boss Appleton not worried about sack

Shrewsbury Town head coach Michael Appleton says he is not worried about being sacked if they lose Saturday's "huge" game against League Two relegation rivals Harrogate Town.

Salop going into the match at Croud Meadow one point ahead of their visitors, who are next to bottom in the last relegation place.

A win for Harrogate, who have played a game more, would see them leapfrog Shrewsbury, sending Appleton's side into the drop zone.

"You're under pressure as a manager all the time - literally every single game no matter what level you're at," Appleton told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"You know if you lose a few games, you know there's a chance you lose your job.

"I don't worry about it. It's the job. You accept what comes when it comes.

"If it does come then it won't be the first time and, hopefully, won't be the last time."

Appleton signed a two-year contract when he took the Shrewsbury job last March but could not keep the club in League One during his first nine games in charge at the end of last season.

With only four league wins so far, and none for eight games, Town's position is precarious, but Appleton is staying level-headed about the situation.

"Pressure is part of it. You've just got to accept that's the modern world we live in," he said.

"There's no added pressure from me. We know how big the game is and know what the consequences could be if we don't get a win, but I'm a big boy.

"It's a huge game - a six-pointer, nine-pointer, 12-pointer, whatever you want to call it.

"It's a game we know we can win and we'll be right up for it. The players could not be prepared any better.

"Whether they perform, that'll be down to them but they are in a good place. I'm ready for it. These are the types of games you live for.."

Asked whether he had had any conversations with the board over what might happen if they lost, Appleton said "zero".

Appleton also addressed speculation over potential transfers concerning on-loan Arsenal winger Ismeal Kabia and links to Flint Town defender Isaac Lee.

"I had a voice note off Arsenal that said there was no interest elsewhere and he's going to be with us," Appleton said of Kabia, who has scored once in 19 league games since arriving.

On Flint, Appleton said he had not had any conversations with the player but confirmed he was "on the radar".

"He's quick, tall and deals with the ball. He's a Flint Town player at the minute but he would be the type of player I'd look at in that position," Appleton added.