Sharps was one of Turner's first signings in the summer

Shrewsbury defender Shane Cansdell-Sheriff believes captain Ian Sharps has been a pivotal figure in the club's chase for promotion this season.

Sharps joined Town from Rotherham on a two-year in June.

Cansdell-Sherriff told BBC Radio Shropshire: "He has got that personality to take charge and younger players look up to him.

"He's a good leader on and off the pitch, he has a long history in the game, and people respect him."

Sharps, who was one of Graham Turner's first signings when he took over at the Greenhous Meadow in the summer, started his career as a trainee at Tranmere in 1998 and went on to make 193 appearances in all competitions before joining the Millers in 2006.

We want automatic promotion, and we certainly don't want to settle for the play-offs Shane Cansdell-Sheriff

Shrewsbury have recorded four successive wins in League Two and now occupy the third automatic promotion place.

The Shrews have also set their sights on clawing back the 11-point lead held by table toppers Chesterfield, who have played an extra game, to be crowned champions.

"Everyone's confident we can take that title," Cansdell-Sherriff added.

"The squad is a good mix and the recent signings [in the January window] have sparked the side up.

"We want automatic promotion, and we certainly don't want to settle for the play-offs."

Town have twice experienced disappointment at Wembley in recent years, losing the 2009 play-off final to a last-minute Gillingham goal and losing 3-1 to Bristol Rovers two years previously.

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