Sean Thornton has joined the Shrews on a month's loan from Orient

Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Simpson reckons that new signing Sean Thornton has brought calmness and a footballing brain to his team's midfield.

The Irish-born midfielder, signed for the Shrews on a month's loan from Leyton Orient, starred on his debut in Saturday's 7-0 win over Gillingham.

And Simpson admits: "He's set a standard for himself now.

"I've not been particularly happy with the link between the back four and the strikers and Sean can help us."

Simpson also admitted that, having already had plans to strengthen his midfield, he may soon be onto Orient boss Martin Ling to talk about making a deal for 25-year-old Thornton more permanent.

"If he carries on like that for the rest of the month," said Simpson, "there'll probably be a phone call into Martin Ling."

Shrewsbury's weekend win has lifted them back up the table to fourth in League Two, ahead of Sunday's border derby noon showdown with improving Chester City at the Deva Stadium.