Wolves' McAlinden comes back to Town
Shrewsbury Town have swooped for Wolves striker Liam McAlinden as manager Micky Mellon finally secured his 'fox in the box.'
The 21-year-old has returned to the Greenhous Meadow on loan until January after previously impressing under Graham Turner in 2013-14.
McAlinden scored three goals in five starts and a total of nine games from October 2013 to December 2013 in League One.
The Cannock-born frontman continued his experience in the third tier with two spells at Fleetwood last season.
He scored four goals in 19 games over the two stints with the Cod Army, starting 10 times.
McAlinden's return is much needed with Town, having released Andy Mangan and Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro.
Loanee Bobby Grant has returned to Blackpool, leaving James Collins, Tyrone Barnett and Scott Vernon.
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The Wolves academy graduate is delighted to be back in Shropshire, saying: "It's been on the cards now for a few weeks.
"We've just been sorting bits and pieces out between the two clubs but I'm glad to be back now.
"When I was here last time I was doing well and scoring goals and enjoying my time here, but then it got cut short.
"Wolves needed me so, as my parent club, I went back and did my best for them, but now I'm delighted to be back. Hopefully, I can kick on from where I left off last time.
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"I was young (back then in 2013) and now it's a year and a half on. I've matured in myself and had a few other loan spells out in the same league and I still carried on scoring goals.
"I had good times and bad times with Fleetwood last year. I was in and out (of the team) so I think I've got enough experience of the league now as well as the ups and downs of the league.
"Hopefully I can bring that to Shrewsbury and get them kicking on up the league this year."
McAlinden is confident Town will score plenty of goals at the higher level, saying: "It's a good forward line (at Shrewsbury) and very potent for this league.
"I think between us we'll get a lot of goals. There's a lot of experience with the other three and Collins scored a lot of goals last year.
"Tyrone (Barnett) and Scott (Vernon) are both big and strong strikers as well, so I think I can add something different to the front line and hopefully it will be enough.
"When I spoke to the manager he said he wants me to run channels and get in behind and cause problems for defences and I think that's my game.
"Hopefully I'll fit in perfectly here and it will all go well."
McAlinden is pleased to have his future settled with plenty of time to get to re-acquaint himself with his Shrewsbury team-mates.
Ryan Woods is from the same area and is of a similar age to McAlinden and the pair know each other well.
He said: "I wanted to get in as early as I could, meet the lads and get in and about it. I get on with the lads here and I've got friends here so it's easy for me to come and settle back in.
"I want it to be a good stint here and see where it takes me.
"I had a good relationship with (assistant boss) Mike (Jackson) the last time I was here and he's kept in touch and Wolves have always said 'Jacko' thought really highly of me."
