Shrewsbury boss Cowan close to signing new deal

Shrewsbury picked up 27 points from 19 games after Gavin Cowan succeeded Michael Appleton [Getty Images]

Shrewsbury Town boss Gavin Cowan has said he is close to signing a new two-year contract with the League Two club.

Cowan helped steer the club away from relegation trouble after joining on an 18-month deal at the end of January when Shrewsbury were 21st and just two points above the drop zone.

The former Shrewsbury midfielder won six of his first nine games in charge to ease relegation fears and the club eventually secured safety with three games to spare.

"I'm chomping at the bit to sign that new deal and get the fans and the club together and extending on what was a really good last 15 weeks of the season," Cowan told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"I'm yet to sign that, just because I wanted to make sure that everyone that we're striving for off the field, in terms of staff, we want to make sure that we get it right."

• Cowan 'on top of the world' as Shrews clinch safety

Cowan is also "optimistic" that Luca Hoole, Josh Ruffels and Taylor Perry will sign new deals as Shrewsbury look to build on their 19th-place finish.

"The offers we've put forward are the best versions of what we can do, so again they should be flattered from that perspective," he said.

"It now just comes down to whether they want to be part of this football club and what we're doing moving forward. I'd like to think we're at the forefront of their thoughts."

Town are also "ahead of the game" in terms of bringing in new players, according to Cowan, despite describing the club's budget as "not favourable".

He said: "What we want is players and characters who are committed to the club.